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Minister named in Bangladesh corruption probe | Minister named in Bangladesh corruption probe |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A Labour minister has been named in an investigation into claims her family embezzled up to £3.9bn (Tk 590 billion) from infrastructure projects in Bangladesh. | A Labour minister has been named in an investigation into claims her family embezzled up to £3.9bn (Tk 590 billion) from infrastructure projects in Bangladesh. |
Tulip Siddiq, who as the Treasury's Economic Secretary is responsible for tackling corruption in UK financial markets, is alleged to have brokered a deal with Russia in 2013 for a new nuclear power plant in Bangladesh that saw £1bn siphoned off into private hands. | Tulip Siddiq, who as the Treasury's Economic Secretary is responsible for tackling corruption in UK financial markets, is alleged to have brokered a deal with Russia in 2013 for a new nuclear power plant in Bangladesh that saw £1bn siphoned off into private hands. |
The allegation is part of a wider investigation by Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) into Siddiq's aunt Sheikh Hasina, the recently deposed prime minister of the country who fled to India in August. | The allegation is part of a wider investigation by Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) into Siddiq's aunt Sheikh Hasina, the recently deposed prime minister of the country who fled to India in August. |
Siddiq has been approached for comment. The Labour Party has declined to comment. | Siddiq has been approached for comment. The Labour Party has declined to comment. |
The investigation is based on a series of allegations made by Bobby Hajjaj, a senior political opponent of Hasina. | The investigation is based on a series of allegations made by Bobby Hajjaj, a senior political opponent of Hasina. |
The ACC is also investigating several of Hasina's family members, including Siddiq's mother Sheikh Rehana Siddiq, and senior officials from her government. | The ACC is also investigating several of Hasina's family members, including Siddiq's mother Sheikh Rehana Siddiq, and senior officials from her government. |
Hasina, who was in charge of Bangladesh for more than 20 years, was seen as an autocrat whose government ruthlessly clamped down on dissent. | Hasina, who was in charge of Bangladesh for more than 20 years, was seen as an autocrat whose government ruthlessly clamped down on dissent. |
Since fleeing the country Hasina has been accused of multiple crimes by the new Bangladeshi government. | Since fleeing the country Hasina has been accused of multiple crimes by the new Bangladeshi government. |
Hasina is wanted by Bangladesh's International Criminal Tribunal (ICT) for her alleged involvements in "crimes against humanity" that took place during the demonstrations, in which hundreds were killed. | Hasina is wanted by Bangladesh's International Criminal Tribunal (ICT) for her alleged involvements in "crimes against humanity" that took place during the demonstrations, in which hundreds were killed. |
Arrest warrants have also been issued for 45 others, including former government ministers who also fled the country. | Arrest warrants have also been issued for 45 others, including former government ministers who also fled the country. |
Syed Faruk, who runs the UK branch of Hasina's Awami League party, said the claims were "fabricated". | Syed Faruk, who runs the UK branch of Hasina's Awami League party, said the claims were "fabricated". |
Siddiq was elected MP for Hampstead and Highgate in 2015, the north London constituency neighbouring Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's seat of Holborn and St Pancras. | Siddiq was elected MP for Hampstead and Highgate in 2015, the north London constituency neighbouring Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's seat of Holborn and St Pancras. |
Tulip Siddiq was pictured alongside Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Puting during the signing of a deal to build the Rooppur Power Plant Project in Bangladesh | |
Court documents seen by the BBC show Hajjaj accused Siddiq of mediating and coordinating meetings for the Bangladeshi officials with the Russian government to build the £10bn Rooppur Power Plant Project. | |
It is claimed that the deal inflated the price of the plant by £1bn, according to the documents - 30% of which was allegedly distributed to Siddiq and other family members via a complex network of banks and overseas companies. | |
In total, Hajjaj alleges £3.9bn was siphoned out of the project by Hasina's family and minister. | |
Footage from 2013 shows Siddiq attended the deal's signing by Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, recorded by the Associated Press. |