The MP quit as City Minister last week amid multiple investigations into her links with her aunt, the ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and other officials from Awami League (AL).
The alleged sway of the AL within the Town Hall has also come under scrutiny — including speculation around the months-long absence of the borough’s former mayor.
Camden Conservative leader Cllr Steve Adams (Frognal) took the opportunity at Monday’s full council meeting to prod council chief Richard Olszewski (Labour) over the controversy.
“It would be wrong of me not to comment on the recent stories that have been in the press and abroad about influence in Camden and on Camden by foreign political parties,” he said.
“This is not an acceptable thing. I would ask the leader to please commit to annulling the marriage of convenience between Camden Labour and the Awami League.”
Cllr Adams did not raise any explicit allegations regarding links between the two parties.
His comment drew groans from the Labour benches. The leader described it as “prattle” that was “actually quite beneath Cllr Adams”.
Camden Council leader Cllr Richard Olszewski (Image: Julia Gregory/LDRS)
Cllr Olszewski said: “We are aware of Conservative Party leaflets that describe one of Camden’s MPs in borderline racist terms.
“They should look at their own house before they start throwing stones at ours.”
Camden’s leader praised Siddiq for doing the “right” thing after she resigned from the front bench last week to avoid creating a “distraction” for the government.
Though she was cleared of any improprieties by the independent adviser for ministerial standards, Sir Laurie Magnus, Sir Laurie added it was “regrettable that she was not more alert to the potential reputational risks – both to her and the Government – arising from her close family’s association with Bangladesh”.
As Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Siddiq was responsible for fighting financial corruption, but is now facing probes regarding properties gifted to her and her family by alleged AL officials.
She has also been accused of abetting a “corrupt” deal between Bangladesh and Russia — which she denies.
Ms Siddiq has since been confronted by calls from Hampstead and Highgate Conservatives for her to stand down as MP altogether.
The alleged links between Camden Council and the AL came to light last year following the prolonged absence of former mayor, Cllr Nazra Rahman, from the Town Hall.
Doubts were cast over Cllr Rahman’s future as a ward member after she missed several meetings.
It was later revealed by the borough solicitor that she and her family had “gone into hiding” in Bangladesh during the civil unrest that saw deposed leader Sheikh Hasina flee the country.
Hasina is facing allegations of crimes against humanity and corruption, including for the deaths of at least 800 protestors.
A video shared by the journalist David Bergman in November appeared to show Cllr Rahman’s husband, Azadur Rahman Azad, using Camden Town Hall’s ceremonial offices to make a political broadcast.
Mr Azad is reported to have been a senior organiser for the AL, and has been elected as a ward councillor for the party in Bangladesh’s Sylhet region.
The Camden New Journal reported last week that the council confirmed permission had not been sought before Mr Azad made his video, which is understood to have been made while Cllr Rahman was the borough’s mayor.
It is understood that no action is being taken against her.
