Politics latest: Tulip Siddiq under pressure over relationship with ousted Bangladeshi PM - as Starmer unveils AI plan (2025)

Today's news
  • Minister Tulip Siddiq under pressure over links to aunt's allies
  • Sky News revealed she boasted about their relationship in blog
  • Explained: What are the allegations against her?
  • Starmer unveils plan to 'mainline AI into veins' of UK
  • MPs to debate Jools Law to allow access to some social media
  • Live reporting by Faith Ridler

07:49:13

'We were in many ways targeted'

Tom Tugendhat, the former security minister, went on to describe a visit he took to China as chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in 2017.

He tells Sky News Breakfast that it was on this trip that he discovered "quite how hostile it was".

Mr Tugendhat adds: "We were in many ways targeted, my room was done over in a particularly obvious and therefore in a way to intimidate.

"One of the members of our delegation was attempted to be entrapped.

"We saw very clearly what the Chinese state was like."

But Mr Tugendhat said at this point, in 2017, "we were still hopeful" of positive relations with China.

"The reality is the last decade of Xi Jinping has been very different... from when China was moving towards openness.

"And so I don't think it's appropriate now."

07:41:36

China is 'certainly a threat', says former security minister

Former security minister Tom Tugendhat is now joining Wilfred Frost on Sky News Breakfast to discuss the UK's relationship with China.

The ex-Tory leadership candidate said it is clear that China is "certainly a threat".

"You just have to look at what's been going on in the UK," he says, referring to "illegal police stations" in Croydon and Glasgow.

It comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves visited China for trade talks, despite calls for her to cancel the trip.

Mr Tugendhat said China is "unquestionably threatening our interests" and "unquestionably threatening our values at home".

The former minister said it is "absolutely reasonable" for British officials to meet their Chinese counterparts.

"But when you send the second most important person in the government... then its because you want to change the relationship, not because you want to maintain it."

Mr Tugendhat said it "wasn't clear... what that change is going to be".

He accused the government of ignoring a security risk at home in favour of "pennies abroad".

07:30:32

Labour will wait for ethics watchdog's report before acting on Siddiq claims, says McFadden

Pat McFadden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, has confirmed Labour will wait for a report from the ethics watchdog before acting on allegations about Tulip Siddiq.

Ms Siddiq, the anti-corruption minister, referred herself to the watchdog over alleged links to a Russian deal with her aunt, the former Bangladesh prime minister, and properties linked to her political party.

Sir Keir Starmer said the economic secretary to the Treasury - who holds responsibility for financial crime and illicit finance - had "acted entirely properly" in referring herself to the independent adviser on ministerial standards, Sir Laurie Magnus.

Asked whether Labour will wait for this report to act on the matter, Mr McFadden confirmed that it will.

He said: "Tulip Siddiq has referred herself to this person so all these allegations can be looked at. He then produces a report about adherence to the ministerial code or whether any rules have been broken.

"And that's the right way to do it."

Will Labour wait for that report.

"Yes, we will."

Mr McFadden said Ms Siddiq had "done the right thing" by referring herself to the watchdog.

07:19:46

Politics at Jack and Sam's: Jack leaves Sam

Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard havetheir guide to the day ahead inBritishpolitics– for one last time, because Jack has some big news.

Once that’soutofthe way, Samand Jack turn to the state of theUKeconomy. With growth sitting around zero - what could be about to happen? And how tricky isthis going to be for Chancellor Rachel Reeves?

Meanwhile, why is prime ministerfocusing on artificial intelligence?

You can send a WhatsApp to Jack and Sam on 07511 867 633 or email them:jackandsam@sky.uk

07:06:18

MPs to debate Jools Law to allow bereaved parents access to children's social media

By Tamara Cohen, political correspondent

MPs will today debate a change in the law proposed by a bereaved mother who believes social media may hold crucial clues to her son's death.

Jools Sweeney was 14 when he was found unconscious at home in April 2022.

His parents and friends who saw him earlier that day say there were no signs he was depressed.

A coroner found he took his own life, but that he probably did not intend to, as he was unable to confirm he was in a suicidal mood.

His mother Ellen Roome suspects he may have taken part in an online challenge.

She has spent two years trying to get access to hissocial mediaaccounts but says the tech companies have made it "very difficult".

06:57:10

What are the allegations against Tulip Siddiq?

With a new week, we will likely see more discussion on controversy surrounding Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq - and her relationship with her aunt's allies.

Her aunt is Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister of Bangladesh.

And although Ms Siddiq has sought to distance herself from her aunt, claiming they never spoke about politics, Sky News has revealed she boasted about their relationship in a blog post.

In it, she mentioned how close they were politically and published photos of them together.

But what are the allegations against Ms Siddiq?

The claims centre on financial links between the minister and political allies of her aunt – the former prime minister of Bangladesh.

Ms Siddiq currently rents a £2m house in north London owned by a businessman with reported links to Ms Hasina's Awami League party.

She also owns a flat in central London that the Financial Times reports was gifted to her by an ally of her aunt.

And she was registered at another London property that was transferred to her sister in 2009 by a lawyer who has represented Ms Hasina's government.

06:48:51

UK to 'mainline AI in the veins' under new plans from Sir Keir Starmer

By Tim Baker, political reporter

The government will "mainline AI into the veins" of the UK, with plans being unveiled today by Sir Keir Starmer.

The prime minister is set to promise investment, jobs and economic growth due to a boom in the sector.

It comes as his government battles against allegations they are mismanaging the economy and stymied growth with the budget last autumn.

The government's announcement claims that, ifAIis "fully embraced", it could bring £47bn to the economy every year.

And it says that £14bn is set to be invested by the private sector, bringing around 13,000 jobs.

06:45:07

Tulip Siddiq boasted of links with ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

By Jon Craig, chief political correspondent

Tulip Siddiq has sought to distance herself from her aunt, deposed Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina, claiming they never spoke about politics.

But Sky News can reveal that in a blog written by the now City minister she boasted about how close they were politically and published photos of them together.

In posts written in late 2008 and early 2009, when she was a Labour activist, Ms Siddiq described campaigning with her aunt in Bangladesh's general election and celebrating her victory.

Our disclosure coincides with a new report inThe Timeswhich reveals how the embattled MP's Labour Party flyers were found in the palace in Dhaka that belonged to her aunt, who was ousted in a coup last year.

Ms Siddiq has sought to distance herself from her aunt, claiming they never spoke about politics.

She is coming under increasing pressure over the way she used properties that were reportedly gifted to her.

06:28:26

Good morning!

Welcome back to the Politics Hub for the start of another week in the heart of Westminster.

Today, discussion will likely continue around Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq, who is coming under increasing pressure over the way she used properties that were reportedly gifted to her.

The allegations centre on financial links between Ms Siddiq and political allies of her aunt – the former prime minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina.

Ms Siddiq has sought to distance herself from her aunt, claiming they never spoke about politics.

But Sky News revealed that in a blog written by the now City minister she boasted about how close they were politically and published photos of them together.

Meanwhile, the government has said it will "mainline AI into the veins" of the UK, with plans being unveiled today by Sir Keir Starmer.

The prime minister is set to promise investment, jobs and economic growth due to a boom in the sector.

And MPs will today debate a change in the law proposed by a bereaved mother who believes social media may hold crucial clues to her son's death.

We'll be discussing all of that and more with...

  • Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, at 7.15am;

  • Former security minister Tom Tugendhat at 7.30am;

  • Tory frontbencher Andrew Griffiths at 8.15am.

Follow along for the very latest political news.

09:57:50

That's it for another week

Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips has finished for this week.

It'll be back the same time next Sunday.

Politics latest: Tulip Siddiq under pressure over relationship with ousted Bangladeshi PM - as Starmer unveils AI plan (2025)
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