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UK Cities Minister Tulip Siddiq has referred herself to the government’s adviser on ministerial standards over her assets, Sir Keir Starmer revealed on Monday.

The UK Prime Minister said at a press conference on Monday that the minister “acted correctly” by going after Sir Laurie Magnus for reporting on links between his assets and the ousted Bangladeshi government.

The FT revealed on Friday that Siddiq became the owner of a two-bedroom flat near King’s Cross in 2004 without paying for it.

The property was bought three years ago for £195,000 by Abdul Motalif, a developer with links to senior figures in the Awami League, the Bangladeshi party led by Sheikh Hasina, Siddiq’s aunt and the former prime minister of country.

Siddiq, who has a responsibility to fight corruption, lives in several properties linked to his aunt. Sheikh Hasina and her party have been accused of siphoning funds from the country’s banking system, although they have denied the claims.

Starmer said of Siddiq: “I have confidence in him and that the process will take place now”, adding that the new ministerial code of the Labor government is “allowing ministers to ask the adviser to establish the truth”.

In his letter to Magnus, Siddiq said he had done nothing wrong.

He told her: “In recent weeks I have been the subject of media reporting, much of it inaccurate, about my financial activities and my family’s links to the former government of Bangladesh.”

“For the avoidance of doubt,” he added. “I want you to independently establish the facts about these things. Obviously I will make sure you have all the information you need to do so.”

The government confirmed on Monday that Siddiq will no longer accompany UK chancellor Rachel Reeves on a trip to China scheduled for this week.

A government official said: “Tulip wants to be in the UK so he can be used to help the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards.”

Over the weekend, the Sunday Times reported that Siddiq was living in a separate property in Hampstead that had been transferred to his sister by Moin Ghani, now a prominent lawyer representing the Bangladeshi government led by the Awami League.

People with knowledge of Siddiq’s position confirmed his living arrangements.