Dhaka, Jan 12: Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has called for an investigation into the properties of British minister Tulip Siddiq and her family, indicating that they may have acquired them through unlawful means during her aunt Sheikh Hasina’s tenure as Bangladesh premier, reports said on Sunday.
In an interview with the Times newspaper, Yunus condemned the use of properties gifted to Siddiq and her family by “allies of her aunt’s deposed regime”. He demanded the return of the assets to Bangladesh if she is found to have benefited from “plain robbery”.
“It’s about plain robbery,” Yunus said, accusing the previous government of embezzling funds through fraudulent practices that have had long-lasting effects on the country.
Siddiq, a member of Britain’s Labour Cabinet, serves as the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister, responsible for addressing corruption within the UK’s financial markets.
A day after publishing Yunus’ interview, the British newspaper on Sunday carried another report titled “(UK) PM urged to sack Tulip Siddiq after Bangladesh leader’s rebuke”. It said the “anti-corruption minister is facing calls to resign after the leader of Bangladesh condemned the use of properties gifted to her and her family by its former regime”. According to the Sunday Times, Yunus’ comments on the scandal engulfing Siddiq, 42, will add to the pressure on her to resign, though there are suggestions that Downing Street is already looking for a replacement. Yunus’ intervention came as a Sunday Times investigation found Siddiq spent years living in a Hampstead property bought by an offshore company named in the Panama Papers and connected to two Bangladeshi businessmen. In his interview with the Times, Yunus said it was an “irony” that Siddiq had been accused of corruption. Yunus referred to a recent official report that found the people connected with the Awami League regime had taken billions of dollars a year out of Bangladesh, with some funds used to buy assets, including properties abroad. (PTI)
US not involved in planning, managing ‘National Prayer Breakfast’ involving BNP leaders
Dhaka, Jan 12: The US government and the Department of State are not involved in managing or influencing the invitations and participators in the IRF Summit or the National Prayer Breakfast, a spokesperson at the US Embassy in Dhaka has said.
The statements, comments, positions, and opinions of participants or former officials at the IRF Summit or National Prayer Breakfast should not be interpreted as representing the opinions, positions, or policies of the US government, Dhaka Tribune quoted the US embassy spokesperson as saying on Saturday.
He made the remarks when media personnel drew the spokesperson’s attention towards a report saying President-elect Donald Trump invited Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and two senior leaders to attend the National Prayer Breakfast.
“The United States is not hosting, organising, or funding the IRF Summit or National Prayer Breakfast,” he said.
“The IRF Summit is distinct from the International Religious Freedom Ministerial organised annually by the US and partner governments, which the German government most recently hosted in Berlin on October 10-11, 2024.”
The United States welcomes government and civil society engagement in the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms both at home and around the world, including the freedom of religion or belief, said the spokesperson.
“Those seeking information on the purpose, opportunities for participation, plans, schedules, components, or any other aspect of the IRF Summit may be directed to the organisation’s website at www.irfsummit.org. Information on the National Prayer Breakfast is available at www.npbfoundation.com,” the spokesperson said. (PTI)