The Treasury minister named in an anti-corruption investigation in Bangladesh has been questioned by officials, it has emerged.
Tulip Siddiq, the economic secretary to the Treasury, met a representative from the Cabinet Office’s propriety and ethics team on Thursday.
Ms Siddiq is said to have welcomed the official into her office and answered questions about a £10 billion nuclear power plant deal.
The Treasury minister is said to believe she is facing “trumped-up charges” and “completely politically motivated” allegations.
The Labour minister has been accused in Bangladesh of brokering a corrupt deal with Russia for the power plant.
The Times reported Ms Siddiq’s explanation about the Russia deal was accepted at face value and the fact that she held the meeting does not indicate that there is any kind of civil service investigation into her.
The Cabinet Office said: “As previously stated, the minister has denied any involvement.”
The Labour minister is said to have repeated her views — that she is the victim of a “political hit job” — during her discussion with the PET official.
Depending on Siddiq’s response, investigators will decide whether to issue first information reports, which would make her an official suspect and give Bangladeshi police powers to arrest her.
It is understood that Siddiq has not yet been contacted by any of the relevant authorities.
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