Dhaka, Jan 12 (V7N) — Tulip Siddique, the daughter of Sheikh Rehana and niece of ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is under scrutiny following allegations of receiving a free flat in London and failing to disclose the information. Tulip, who currently serves as the UK's Economic Secretary to the Treasury, faces growing pressure from the opposition Conservative Party to step down.

The controversy intensified after Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the chief advisor to Bangladesh's interim government, called for an investigation into the flat's acquisition. Speaking to The Sunday Times on Saturday, Dr. Yunus urged Tulip to apologise for the incident and return the property to the Bangladeshi government if it was obtained improperly.

“The London flat Tulip is using should be investigated thoroughly. If it is found that the flat was acquired through unethical means, it must be returned,” Dr. Yunus said.

The British Conservative Party, led by Kim Badenoch, has demanded Tulip Siddique's resignation, accusing her of financial corruption. In a social media post directed at Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Badenoch stated, "It's time to sack Tulip Siddique." She also criticised Starmer for appointing Siddique, alleging personal bias and questioning his commitment to tackling corruption.

International media reports claim that Tulip received the flat from allies of Bangladesh’s former Awami League government. While the UK government has yet to comment on the matter, the opposition has urged a formal investigation into the allegations.

The BBC reported that the Conservative Party's demands for Tulip’s dismissal came shortly after Dr. Yunus’s remarks. The situation has raised questions about Tulip's ability to lead the Treasury’s anti-corruption efforts while facing allegations of financial misconduct herself.

As pressure mounts, political analysts believe this controversy could damage the credibility of the Labour government, particularly its stance on integrity and transparency. Tulip Siddique has not yet responded publicly to the allegations.

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