Tulip Siddiq resigns as UK treasury minister

Tulip Siddiq has resigned as a Treasury minister after controversy over links to her aunt’s ousted political movement in Bangladesh, reports Sky News. 

Tulip has been under pressure over allegations about properties linked to her aunt Sheikh Hasina, who was deposed as Bangladesh's longest-serving prime minister in August.

In a letter to the prime minister, the Labour MP said that while she had ‘not breached the ministerial code’, it is clear that continuing in her post would be ‘a distraction from the work of the government’.

In his reply, Sir Keir Starmer said he has accepted her resignation ‘with sadness.’

It is alleged that Ms Siddiq lived in properties linked to allies of Sheikh Hasina.

Hasina was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.

Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.

She had been due to join a delegation heading to China last week, but stayed in the UK to fight to clear her name.

Source: Sky News