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| Minister named in Bangladesh corruption probe | Minister named in Bangladesh corruption probe |
| (31 minutes 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 that overinflated the price of a new nuclear power plant 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 that overinflated the price of a new nuclear power plant in Bangladesh. |
| The allegation is part of a wider investigation by Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) into Siddiq's aunt, Sheikh Hasina, who was deposed as prime minister of the country in August. | The allegation is part of a wider investigation by Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) into Siddiq's aunt, Sheikh Hasina, who was deposed as prime minister of the country in August. |
| A source close to Siddiq said these were "trumped up charges". | A source close to Siddiq said these were "trumped up charges". |
| The source also said the allegations were "completely politically motivated" and designed to damage her aunt. | The source also said the allegations were "completely politically motivated" and designed to damage her aunt. |
| Downing Street said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had confidence in Siddiq, and she will continue her responsibility as the minister overseeing anti-corruption efforts. | |
| Siddiq has "denied any involvement in the claims" accusing her of involvement in embezzlement, according to the prime minister's official spokesman. | |
| But she has recused herself - or stepped back - from any political decisions involving Bangladesh, the spokesman added. | |
| 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 BBC understands that Siddiq has not had any contact with the ACC as part of the investigation. | The BBC understands that Siddiq has not had any contact with the ACC as part of the investigation. |
| 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 Putin during a 2013 visit to the Kremlin | Tulip Siddiq was pictured alongside Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a 2013 visit to the Kremlin |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | In total, Hajjaj alleges £3.9bn was siphoned out of the project by Hasina's family and minister. |
| Footage from 2013 appears to show Siddiq attended the deal's signing by Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, recorded by the Associated Press. | Footage from 2013 appears to show Siddiq attended the deal's signing by Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, recorded by the Associated Press. |
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