Tulip Siddiq's campaign leaflets, gold-trimmed pen found in Ganabhaban
UK's Labour Party posters and political flyers for anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq have reportedly been found in the ruins of the ransacked official residence Ganabhaban of the deposed Bangladeshi prime minister, said a report of British online newspaper The Independent published on Monday.
The Treasury minister, who is responsible for tackling financial crime, is being investigated by standards watchdog Sir Laurie Magnus amid questions over her aunt Sheikh Hasina, who was removed from power after protests against her rule last year.
The fallen prime minister is facing an investigation by an anti-corruption commission in Bangladesh.
Siddiq was alleged to have been involved in brokering a 2013 deal with Russia for a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh in which large sums of cash are said to have been embezzled, said The Independent report cited British daily The Times.
It comes after reports that Siddiq lived in properties in London linked to allies of her aunt. The corruption minister referred herself to Sir Laurie on Monday last week. In a letter to Sir Laurie asking for an investigation to be opened, she maintained she had done nothing wrong.
But according to The Times, Siddiq's campaign materials were discovered among luxury items and documents in the ransacked official residence of her aunt. The newspaper shared pictures of the fliers amongst the rubble.
The property, located in Dhaka, also contained 'Chanel and Swarovski' bags, a certificate for a diamond and a $1,500 gold-trimmed Montblanc pen, The Times added.
But on Monday morning Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden insisted he has full confidence in Siddiq, saying she did the right thing by referring herself to the independent adviser on ministerial interests.
Asked by Times Radio if he had full confidence in his colleague, McFadden replied: "Yes."
It comes amid calls for Sir Keir Starmer to sack Siddiq over the allegations, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch saying: "He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption".
"Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina."
"It's time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq," the Tory leader said.