Bangladesh Prime Minister Refuses Meeting with UK MP Tulip Siddiq
Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, has declined a meeting with Labour MP Tulip Siddiq during his visit to London, amidst ongoing corruption allegations against her. Yunus characterized the accusations as a “court matter” and expressed confidence in the Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which is currently investigating Siddiq. The ACC has accused Siddiq of unlawfully receiving land from the regime of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from her position as prime minister last year. Siddiq has vehemently denied these allegations, labeling them as part of a politically motivated smear campaign.
Yunus Declines Meeting Request
In a letter, Siddiq requested a meeting with Yunus, a Nobel laureate who has been leading an interim government in Bangladesh since a student-led protest movement resulted in Hasina’s removal. Siddiq suggested that a discussion could help clarify misunderstandings perpetuated by the ACC in Dhaka. However, when asked about the possibility of a meeting during his four-day UK visit, Yunus firmly stated, “No, I’m not because it’s a legal procedure.” He emphasized the importance of allowing the legal process to unfold without interruption.
Siddiq has criticized the Bangladeshi authorities for failing to provide evidence supporting their claims and for not engaging with her legal representatives. In response, Yunus reiterated that the matter is in the hands of the courts, which will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the case. He expressed his full confidence in the ACC’s integrity and operations.
Siddiq’s Response to Allegations
Siddiq expressed disappointment over Yunus’s refusal to meet her, describing the allegations against her as “fantasy accusations” lacking any substantiated evidence. She criticized the authorities for their failure to engage with her legal team and for sending misleading correspondence to an address where she has never resided. Siddiq, a British citizen and member of the UK Parliament, hopes that Yunus will cease the media smear campaign against her and allow the courts to clarify her position.
Earlier this year, Siddiq resigned from her ministerial role following an investigation led by the prime minister’s ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus. Although Magnus did not find evidence of wrongdoing, he noted that Siddiq should have been more cautious regarding the reputational risks associated with her familial ties to Hasina, the leader of the Awami League party in Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi authorities allege that approximately $234 billion was misappropriated during Hasina’s tenure, with much of the funds believed to have been hidden or spent in the UK.
Yunus’s Engagements in the UK
During his visit, Yunus expressed regret over not being able to arrange a meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who is a close friend and constituency neighbor of Siddiq. He remarked, “I don’t know whether I should be disappointed or he should be disappointed. It’s a missed opportunity.” Yunus did, however, meet with King Charles at Buckingham Palace and discussed economic growth and job creation with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds in Parliament.
While some protesters from the Bangladeshi community demonstrated against Yunus during his visit, he stated that the interim government of Bangladesh is actively seeking legal avenues to recover any allegedly misappropriated funds from the UK. Yunus praised the UK government’s support for these efforts, noting their promptness in addressing the situation. The International Anti-Corruption Co-ordination Centre (IACCC) is reportedly exploring ways to assist Bangladesh’s interim government in investigating corruption allegations from Hasina’s administration.
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