Senior associates of UK PM Sir Keir Starmer are evaluating potential replacements for Tulip Siddiq, the niece of the ousted Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in the event that she is compelled to resign due to her connections with her aunt`s administration, according to a report by The Times.
It is reported that candidates were identified over the weekend to potentially succeed the Treasury minister before the public announcement on Monday that Tulip had submitted herself to the prime minister`s ethics advisor.
Starmer expressed his complete confidence in Tulip, while a spokesperson for No 10 declared that it was "entirely untrue" to claim that a shortlist of potential successors had been prepared. However, The Times has indicated that some of the prime minister’s close aides were at least unofficially mulling over who could take her place.
Siddiq has referred herself to Sir Laurie Magnus, the independent advisor on ministers` interests, amidst scrutiny regarding her use of various properties associated with the government of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, who lost her position as Bangladesh`s prime minister during a large student-led uprising on August 5.
Officials from Bangladesh Bank who are investigating financial offenses have requested banking information for Tulip and seven of her relatives, while the Anti-Corruption Commission is examining allegations that she assisted in the embezzlement of billions of pounds concerning a deal for a nuclear power plant funded by Russia.
Among those that may be considered by No 10 are Alistair Strathern and Imogen Walker, both ministerial aides to Rachel Reeves.
Other potential candidates for the position include Callum Anderson, a parliamentary private secretary in the science and technology division, along with Kanishka Narayan and Josh Simons, both PPSs in the environment department, and Rachel Blake, who represents the constituency encompassing the City of London.
Lucy Rigby, the attorney general, and Torsten Bell, an economist who also serves as a ministerial aide, might also be seen as viable candidates.
One Labour insider stated that Tulip`s self-referral "indicates that she’s prepared to take the fall" and suggested she was "in the process of exiting."
Tulip, currently serving as the UK`s economic secretary to the Treasury and the City minister, is facing significant pressure to resign from Keir Starmer`s cabinet following reports of her receiving a £700,000 flat in London as a gift, according to the Mail.
A representative for Tulip called it "absolutely incorrect" to imply that the properties were connected to her backing of the Awami League.
Tulip is also undergoing scrutiny following claims from a dissenting lawyer that his family was threatened by law enforcement in Bangladesh after Tulip was questioned by reporters in London.
Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem, who had been detained in 2016, mentioned that his mother had contacted Tulip asking her to investigate the situation. Tulip claims she brought up the issue with the UK Foreign Office, who indicated they would notify the High Commission in Dhaka.
Quasem, who was freed following Hasina`s ouster, asserted that Tulip could have made an effort to locate him and alleviate his family’s concerns regarding his safety.
He commented, "If she remains in her position, it tarnishes the image of Britain and British MPs worldwide. The UK is synonymous with human rights, freedom of assembly, and freedom of expression. The legal framework in Bangladesh is rooted in British law. However, failing to uphold these principles diminishes the UK`s reputation both in Bangladesh and globally."
A supporter of Tulip revealed to The Times that she had "no awareness of the circumstances surrounding the raid in Bangladesh and was not implicated in any capacity."
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