The government is feeling the heat over its anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq being investigated by the new Bangladeshi government over claims of embezzlement. At the Lobby briefing just now Downing Street says Keir has confidence in Siddiq: “The minister has denied any involvement; the minister has denied any allegations in the press.” Tulip has not been “formally contacted” by Bangladeshi authorities…
Starmer’s official spokesman then went on to say Tulip has not been involved in any decisions relating to Bangladesh since entering government, and the minister’s interests are declared and published where relevant. Downing Street added that the independent adviser “is content that for all ministers any actual or perceived interest have or are in the process of being resolved.” A smokescreen seeing as no one is asking about whether she has made decisions relating to Bangladesh since July…
The line is that Siddiq maintains “her ministerial role in flighting corruption on behalf of the Government.” For now…
Speaking at his speech on how to achieve “progressive capitalism” Wes Streeting fired a dig and Andy Burnham:
“Bond markets are not bond villains and fiscal rules matter.”