"My family connections are a matter of public record."
After she faced several allegations over financial links, Tulip Siddiq resigned as a Labour politician in the UK.
Siddiq became the Economic Secretary to the Treasury City Minister on July 9, 2024, succeeding Bim Afolami.
However, in recent weeks, her stint in government has been shrouded in controversy.
In January 2025, Tulip Siddiq faced calls for an investigation after reports that she lived in London properties linked to her aunt’s allies.
Her aunt is none other than the former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was expelled from power.
An allegation stated that Siddiq had used a flat in Hampstead, North London, that represented her aunt’s government.
On January 14, 2025, Siddiq was also accused of being involved in the illegal allocation of land to family members in Bangladesh while serving as an MP.
Bangladesh’s anti-corruption commission filed an affidavit which accused Siddiq and other individuals of fraudulently gaining plots of land in the diplomatic zone of a development near Dhaka.
UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, was also urged to sack Siddiq following these allegations.
On the same day as the land allegation emerged, Tulip Siddiq took to X to reveal her resignation letter to Starmer.
She captioned her tweet: “An independent review has confirmed that I have not breached the Ministerial Code and there is no evidence to suggest I have acted improperly.
“Nonetheless, to avoid distraction for the Government, I have resigned as City Minister.”
In the letter, Siddiq wrote:
“My family connections are a matter of public record and when I became a Minister, I provided the full details of my relationships and private interests to the government.
“After extensive consultation with the officials, I was advised to state in my declaration of interests that my aunt is the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
“To rescue myself from matters relating to Bangladesh and to avoid any perception of a conflict of interest, I want to assure you that I acted and have continued to act with full transparency and on the advice of officials on these matters.
“However, it is clear that continuing in my role as Economic Secretary to the Treasury is likely to be a distraction from the work of the government.
“My loyalty is and always will be to this Labour government and the programme of national renewal and transformation it has embarked upon.
“I have therefore decided to resign from my ministerial position.”
“I would like to thank you for the privilege of serving in your government, which I will continue to support in any way I can from the backbenches.”
An independent review has confirmed that I have not breached the Ministerial Code and there is no evidence to suggest I have acted improperly.
Nonetheless, to avoid distraction for the Government, I have resigned as City Minister.
Here is my full letter to the Prime Minister. pic.twitter.com/kZeWZfEsei
— Tulip Siddiq (@TulipSiddiq) January 14, 2025
Starmer said that he accepted Siddiq’s resignation “with sadness” but added that “the door remains open for [Siddiq] going forward”.
Tulip Siddiq will be replaced by Emma Reynolds who is a Department for Work and Pensions Minister.
She previously worked for City UK. In turn, Reynolds will be replaced in her current position by Torsten Bell.