Tulip Siddiq faces New Questions over $1b Russian Arms Deal

Labour minister Tulip Siddiq is facing new questions after it emerged her aunt signed a $1 billion Russian arms deal during a family visit to the Kremlin.

This comes after the Economic Secretary was named in an anti-corruption probe in Bangladesh.

Ms Siddiq was allegedly involved in brokering a 2013 deal with Vladimir Putin for a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh, from which up to £4 billion is said to have been embezzled.

Ms Siddiq’s aunt Sheikh Hasina, the former Bangladesh Prime Minister, is also being investigated, along with her mother Sheikh Rehana Siddiq.

An image from 2013 shows Ms Siddiq looking on as Hasina and Putin signed the deal at the Kremlin.

In addition to signing the agreement for the nuclear power plant, Hasina also penned a deal for a $1 billion (£800 million) loan to Bangladesh to buy Russian weapons and military equipment.

In a statement at the time, Putin said:

“Our countries intend to expand defence cooperation. Russia (and you have seen the signing of this agreement) will extend a $1 billion loan to Bangladesh to buy Russian weapons and military equipment.”

Tulip Siddiq was a Labour councillor at the time.

Labour sources have claimed Ms Siddiq only went to Russia to spend time with her family and had no role at any events she attended, aside from being a family member.

A spokesperson said: “The dealings of two countries from two years before Tulip became an MP have absolutely nothing to do with her.”

Labour added that she “totally refutes” the allegations relating to the anti-corruption investigation.

But the Conservatives have urged her to come clean.

Shadow Home Office Minister Matt Vickers said:

“The questions Tulip Siddiq and Keir Starmer need to answer are growing.

“Starmer must also set out why he has chosen to stand by another beleaguered minister.

“The latest revelation that Tulip Siddiq, Labour’s own anti-corruption minister, was also there when an arms deal with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin was struck, is deeply concerning.

“Labour cannot hide from the truth forever, and in light of this latest development there must now be a full and urgent investigation.”

A Conservative MP has written to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Daniel Greenberg, urging him to look into the allegations.

The Treasury confirmed that Ms Siddiq had recused herself from any decisions relating to Bangladesh when she entered office.

A spokesperson said: “The Economic Secretary is not involved in policy-making that has a direct link to Bangladesh.

“The minister has not been involved with any decisions relating to Bangladesh since entering government and will not be in future as she recuses herself to avoid any perceived conflicts of interest.

“Her interests are publicly disclosed as part of the List of Ministers’ Interests.”