Sir Keir Starmer’s former anti-corruption minister has accused the Bangladeshi authorities of a “targeted and baseless campaign” against her.

It is Tulip Siddiq‘s first significant response to a series of corruption allegations in Bangladesh, which saw her resign from the government in January.

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She quit after the prime minister’s standards adviser found her family’s links with the ousted Bangladeshi regime exposed the government to “reputational risks.”

A letter from Ms Siddiq’s lawyers to Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) said: “At no point have any allegations against Ms Siddiq been put to her fairly, properly and transparently, or indeed at all, by the ACC, or anyone else with proper authority on behalf of the Bangladesh government.”

Her lawyers said the media has been “repeatedly used” to publish allegations “that have no truth”, setting out several examples that have led to an “ongoing targeted and baseless campaign”.

Ms Siddiq denies all wrongdoing, and says she has not been approached by the investigating authorities in Bangladesh.

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‘Allegations have no merit’

Sky News previously reported that UK-based investigators were considering ways to help the Bangladeshi authorities.

The agency concerned, the International Anti-Corruption Co-ordination Centre (IACCC), is currently hosted by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and principally funded by the UK government.

In the seven-page letter sent by Ms Siddiq’s legal team, seen by Sky News, it is claimed the ACC “does not appear to be taking matters seriously”.

It goes on: “If it was, it would have been obvious to it that the allegations made against our client have no merit at all.”

What are some of the claims?

Ms Siddiq is the niece of the ousted Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina, and it’s those familial links that were used as evidence in the claims against her.

Among the allegations disputed by Ms Siddiq are claims she illegally benefitted from a deal between Bangladesh and Russia for a nuclear power station.

Ms Siddiq’s lawyers say this is “absurd and cannot be true”, as the claims revolve around a property given to the Labour MP by a close family friend 10 years before the power station deal.

The letter also rejects claims Ms Siddiq committed fraud in Bangladesh over where she owned a home.

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Ms Siddiq’s team has told the ACC it must “immediately stop manufacturing false and vexatious allegations”, adding the agency’s methods “are an unacceptable attempt to interfere in UK politics”.

The letter goes on to request any further claims are put to them directly, instead of being publicised in the media.

In response, a defiant ACC said Ms Siddiq “has benefitted from the systemic corruption” of her aunt’s old party.

It said the MP has “spent most of her adult life residing in homes owned by cronies” of the party, the Awami League, and been “benefitted by corrupt property deals that her mother undertook”.

It said it would be in touch with her office “in due course”.

Sir Keir Starmer has revealed he is watching Netflix’s Adolescence with his family and supports a campaign for it to be shown in parliament and schools.

The drama, starring Stephen Graham, depicts the aftermath of the stabbing of a teenage girl – as a 13-year-old boy from her school is arrested for her murder.

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Graham and co-writer Jack Thorne have said they want it to be a show that “causes discussion and makes change”, after it was hailed by critics and topped Netflix’s charts around the world.

Asked by Labour MP Anneliese Midgley if he backs the creators’ calls for it to be aired in parliament and schools, Sir Keir said he does.

He told PMQs: “At home we are watching Adolescence. I’ve got a 16-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl, and it’s a very good drama to watch.

“This violence carried out by young men, influenced by what they see online, is a real problem.

“It’s abhorrent, and we have to tackle it.”

MPs want tougher action on online safety

Sir Keir’s commitment came as Sky News learned around 25 Labour MPs who want tougher action on online safety have formed an informal group and are due to meet next week.

It could pressure the government to take more radical steps, after a private member’s bill to raise the age of social media consent from 13 to 16 was watered down because ministers didn’t support the measure.

The changes were criticised by Thorne in a recent interview with Sky News, accusing the government of being “frightened of big tech”.

Johnathan Brash is among the MPs who backs showing Adolescence in parliament and schools, telling Sky News he found it “so powerful and distressing I immediately went upstairs and gave my son a hug”.

The Labour MP for Hartlepool, whose son is eight, said elements of the show could be shown in primary school “with discretion” so children understand the dangers before they are using social media.

He said he will raise the issue with officials at the Department for Education to ensure Sir Keir’s “extremely supportive” words are followed through on.

Mr Brash said the government must “protect children from an environment that is increasing hostile and dangerous”.

It comes after Sky News revealed teenagers are regularly being served up “horrific” content on social media apps, including violent and sexually explicit material.

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Government ‘alert’ to ‘toxic influencers’

Speaking after PMQs, Sir Keir’s spokesman called Adolescence “an incredibly powerful programme that shows the threat of young men carrying out violence from seeing things online”.

“Insidious misogyny taking root will be tackled,” he added, though he did not say how.

He also said the government is “alert to and taking on” issues raised by Sir Gareth Southgate, after the ex-England manager hit out at “manipulative and toxic influencers” who trick young men into thinking women are against them.

The Online Safety Act, which is being implemented this year, is intended to protect young people from illegal and harmful content with fines for platforms who break the rules coming in this summer.

However, MPs from across the political spectrum want further action to tackle the amount of time children spend on their smartphones.

The Tories want the government to force teachers to ban smartphones from schools, with shadow education secretary Laura Trott revealing she is so concerned she won’t allow her children to have one until they are 16.

The government has resisted the measure, saying teachers already have the power to ban phones.