Finance Minister Tulip Siddique has been questioned by the Cabinet Office's Integrity and Ethics team after the Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission accused her and her family of embezzling billions of dollars for nuclear power plants. I am receiving it.
The Labor MP denies allegations that he helped broker a deal with Russia to build energy projects, but reportedly told government officials that he was “not working on a job that took a political hit”. He reportedly said that he was a victim of “.
A Whitehall official confirmed reports that Mr Siddique, the UK markets anti-corruption chief, had met with his ethics team last week, but said it was not a formal meeting and was part of the fact-finding process following the allegations. said.
They said that did not mean there was an investigation into the city minister, but that the premier's ethics adviser, who has the power to independently launch an investigation, had decided not to investigate. This may change if new evidence comes to light.
The Sunday Times said Ms Siddique's account of her involvement in the £10 billion Rooppur power plant project, held in her office on Thursday, was “accepted at face value” by officials.
The finance minister is the niece of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh for 15 years before being overthrown in the August revolution.
Siddiq is said to have been involved in brokering the 2013 deal with Russia, and was photographed with President Vladimir Putin and his aunt at the signing ceremony. The finance minister previously said the Russian president posed only after he asked his aunt: “Is your family here?” I would like a photo. ”
A Cabinet Office spokesperson said, “As mentioned above, the minister denies any involvement.''
Sources close to Siddique said the allegations that she arranged meetings between Bangladeshi and Russian officials were “trumped-up charges” and “completely politically motivated.”
The Sunday Times reported that Siddique explained that he visited Moscow more than a decade ago to meet his aunt because it was easier to fly to Russia than Bangladesh.
After newsletter promotion
The investigation into the labor minister was launched as part of a broader probe by the Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission, which is probing crimes and corruption that took place under Hasina's government.
Submissions to the committee allege that Mr Siddique was “instrumental in managing matters and arranging meetings with Russian government officials” to arrange the deal, and that the family received a 30% reduction. .
Bangladeshi authorities are understood to have not yet contacted Mr Siddique as part of an investigation into allegations raised by Bobby Hajjaj, a former opposition figure under Hasina.
Hasina's government has been accused of authoritarianism, human rights abuses and rampant corruption, and she and her ministers are under investigation for genocide and crimes against humanity. She lives in exile in India and denies the charges.
