Tulip Siddiq has referred herself to the government’s standards watchdog over questions about her use of properties linked to the deposed Bangladeshi leader, Keir Starmer said.

The City minister has come under increasing pressure after it emerged she had been given a London flat and lived in another property with links to her aunt, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and the Awami League party.

Asked about the growing questions following a speech on his plans for the NHS, the Prime Minister told journalists: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done. 

“And that’s why we brought into being the new code, it’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts.

“And yes I’ve got confidence in her and that’s the process that will now be happening.”

In her letter to ministerial standards watchdog Sir Laurie Magnus, Siddiq insisted she had “done nothing wrong”.

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

“I am clear that I have done nothing wrong. However, for the avoidance of doubt, I would like you to independently establish the facts about these matters.

“I will obviously ensure you have all the information you need to do this.”

Siddiq had been due to join a Treasury delegation heading to China this week, but will now stay in the UK. A source said: “Tulip wants to be the UK so she is available to assist the independent adviser on ministerial standards.”

Last week the Financial Times (FT) reported that Siddiq, who serves as economic secretary to the Treasury with a brief including “countering economic crime, money laundering and illicit finance” was given a two-bedroom property near King’s Cross in 2004.

The newspaper cited Land Registry documents which they said revealed Siddiq had not paid for the property, and was given it by Abdul Motif, a developer, with links to the minister’s aunt – former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who leads the Awami League party.