¶¶Òõ¾«Æ·

Amid British city minister Tulip Siddiq’s suspected involvement in embezzling billions of pounds in a deal for a Russian-funded nuclear power plant in Bangladesh, the British government was identifying potential  candidates to replace Tulip, a niece of Bangladesh’s ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, according to a The Times report.

The Times reported on Friday that Alistair Strathern and Imogen Walker, two ministerial aides to chancellor of exchequer Rachel Reeves, and parliamentary private secretaries, including Callum Anderson, Kanishka Narayan, Josh Simons, Rachel Blake, attorney general Lucy Rigby and economist Torsten Bell were among the potential replacement if Tulip, economic secretary to the Treasury, is forced to quit over links to her aunt Hasina.

However, No. 10 Downing Street officials denied the existence of a shortlist although insiders suggest informal discussions were underway, The Times reported.

On January 6, British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed his full confidence in Tulip. During a press conference, he was asked whether Tulip should ‘come clean’ in response to media reports concerning her use of properties in Britain allegedly connected to Hasina’s government.

‘Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she has now done,’ Starmer said.

Despite Starmer’s public support for Tulip, the growing scrutiny and allegations cast uncertainty over her political future.

The controversy stems from Tulip’s referral of herself to Sir Laurie Magnus, the independent adviser on ministers’ interests, to address questions about her use of properties tied to her aunt Hasina.

A Labour Party source suggested Tulip’s referral signals her willingness to resign, stating, ‘She’s on the way out.’

Sheikh Hasina was ousted following a mass uprising on August 5, 2024.

The Times cited that Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission was investigating whether Tulip was involved in misappropriating funds tied to a Russian-funded nuclear project.

Reports indicate Tulip and her family have been asked to provide financial details by Bangladesh’s central bank. Allegations include Tulip receiving a £7,00,000 London flat from an Awami League supporter and her sister receiving a £6,50,000 property from one of Hasina’s advisers.

Tulip’s spokesperson dismissed these claims, calling them ‘categorically wrong’.

Tulip, while maintaining her innocence, emphasised her commitment to transparency in her referral to Magnus: ‘I am clear that I have done nothing wrong. However, for the avoidance of doubt, I would like you to independently establish the facts,’ Tulip said.

Adding to Tulip’s challenges were claims by British-trained lawyer Mir Ahmad bin Quasem, who was detained in 2016 while working for a political rival of Hasina. Quasem alleges his family faced threats from Bangladeshi police after Tulip was questioned about his disappearance.

Quasem argued Tulip’s continued role undermines the UK’s global reputation for upholding human rights, stating, ‘The UK is a hallmark of human rights... Failure to stand up for these values diminishes the UK’s standing in Bangladesh and beyond.’