Treasury silent on Tulip Siddiq’s meeting with Shein

Last year, as the controversial fast-fashion firm Shein was preparing to raise money on the London Stock Exchange, the company met with the disgraced city minister Tulip Siddiq. But the Treasury has refused to tell us what they discussed.

The minister might have put Shein on the spot over a BBC investigation that found the 75-hour weeks worked in some of its Chinese suppliers were breaking labour laws. Or she might have taken the firm to task over its admission that it had found two cases of child slave labour and factories paying under the minimum wage in its supply chain.

But we just don’t know. The Treasury brushed off our freedom of information request, claiming that any information about the discussion “may impact the UK’s economic interests” and “might have a negative impact on the commercial interests of particular companies”.

Siddiq resigned in January, after the government’s adviser on ministerial standards said (PDF) 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”, and advised Keir Starmer to “consider her ongoing responsibilities”.

This isn’t the first time the government has kept meetings with Shein under wraps. The Treasury has also blocked requests for details of contacts with FGS Global – a lobbying firm that has worked with Shein, as well as donating campaign staff and hospitality to Rachel Reeves.

Despite the questions that surround Shein on slave labour, the Financial Conduct Authority has given the firm an initial green light to raise money in London.

We’re supporting Stop Uyghur Genocide in a campaign to make sure this e-commerce giant can’t cash in while doubts over slave labour remain.

It’s time for Shein to come clean about its supply chain. And it’s time for the government to come clean on meetings with ministers.