Environmental Protection AgencyA Labor minister has been appointed to investigate allegations her family embezzled up to £3.9 billion (Tk 590 billion) from infrastructure projects in Bangladesh.
Tulip Siddiq, as the economic secretary of the Treasury responsible for tackling corruption in the UK’s financial markets, allegedly brokered a deal with Russia in 2013 that inflated the price of a new nuclear power plant in Bangladesh.
The allegation is part of a wider investigation by the Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission into Siddiq’s aunt, Sheikh Hasina. Who was ousted as the country’s prime minister in August.
A source close to the friend said that these were “fabricated accusations.”
The source also said the allegations are “entirely politically motivated” and aimed at damaging her aunt.
Downing Street said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had confidence in Siddiq, and that she would continue her responsibilities as minister overseeing anti-corruption efforts.
Al-Siddiq denied “any involvement in these allegations” and accused her of involvement in embezzlement, according to the prime minister’s official spokesman.
The spokesman added that it distanced itself or backed away from any political decisions related to Bangladesh.
The investigation is based on a series of allegations made by Bobby Hajjaj, a senior political opponent of Hasina.
The BBC understands that Siddiq had no contact with the ACC as part of the investigation.
The ACCC is also investigating several members of Hasina’s family, including Siddiq’s mother, Sheikha Rehana Siddiq, and senior officials in her government.
Hasina, who has been in power in Bangladesh for more than 20 years, was seen as an autocrat whose government ruthlessly suppressed dissent.
Since fleeing the country, Hasina has been accused of multiple crimes by the new Bangladeshi government.
Hasina is wanted by the International Criminal Court in Bangladesh for her alleged involvement in “crimes against humanity” that occurred during the demonstrations in which hundreds were killed.
Arrest warrants were also issued for 45 others, including former government ministers who also fled the country.
Syed Farooq, who runs the UK branch of Hasina’s Awami League party, said the allegations were “fabricated”.
Friend was elected MP for Hampstead and Highgate in 2015, the north London constituency adjacent to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s headquarters in Holborn and St Pancras.
APCourt documents seen by the BBC show that Hajaj Siddiq was accused of mediating and coordinating meetings of Bangladeshi officials with the Russian government to build the Rooppur power plant project worth £10 billion.
The deal allegedly inflated the plant’s price by £1 billion, according to the documents, 30% of which was allegedly distributed to a friend and other family members via a complex network of banks and offshore companies.
In total, Hajjaj claims £3.9 billion was withdrawn from the project by Hasina’s family and her minister.
The footage appears to be from 2013 The friend attended the deal signing ceremony between Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, which was recorded by the Associated Press.
