Written by Lisa Murimi
Tulip Siddiq, the UK Treasury’s Economic Secretary, has been implicated in a £3.9bn corruption investigation involving infrastructure projects in Bangladesh.
The claims center on allegations that Siddiq brokered an overinflated 2013 nuclear power plant deal with Russia, benefiting her family, including her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the recently deposed Bangladeshi prime minister.
Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) alleges the Rooppur Power Plant Project deal inflated costs by £1bn, with 30% siphoned to Hasina’s family and officials.
Siddiq reportedly mediated meetings between Bangladeshi and Russian representatives, as evidenced by 2013 footage of her at the Kremlin with Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A source close to Siddiq dismissed the allegations as politically motivated and aimed at discrediting her aunt, who led Bangladesh for over 20 years.
Sheikh Hasina, accused of autocracy and suppressing dissent, faces multiple charges, including “crimes against humanity” during deadly crackdowns on protests.
The ACC investigation extends to Siddiq’s mother, Sheikh Rehana Siddiq, and other family members.
Arrest warrants have been issued for 45 former Bangladeshi officials, many of whom fled the country.
Siddiq, MP for Hampstead and Highgate, has not been contacted by the ACC and denies any wrongdoing.
