British Minister Tulip Siddiq. File photo: PA via AP
“Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has called for an investigation into the properties of British minister Tulip Siddiq and her family, suggesting they may have acquired them illegally during her aunt Sheikh Hasina’s tenure as Bangladesh’s prime minister, reports said on Sunday (Jan 12, 2025.)
In an interview with Times Yunus condemned the use of property given to Siddiq and her family by “allies of her aunt’s ousted regime”. He demanded that the assets be returned to Bangladesh if she is found to have benefited from “common robbery”.
“It is pure robbery,” Yunus said, accusing the previous government of misappropriating funds through fraudulent practices that have had long-lasting effects on the country.
Siddiq, a member of the UK’s Labor Cabinet, serves as Chancellor of the Exchequer and Minister for the City, responsible for tackling corruption in the UK’s financial markets.
A day after publishing Yunus’ interview, the British newspaper on Sunday (January 12, 2025) published 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 Bangladesh’s leaders condemned the use of properties given to her and her family by its former regime.”
According to Sunday TimesMr. Yunus’s comments about the scandal involving Siddiq, 42, will increase pressure on her to step down, although there are suggestions that Downing Street already looking for a replacement.
Mr. Yunus’s intervention came as one Sunday Times The investigation found that Ms. Siddiq spent many years in a Hampstead property bought by an offshore company called i Panama Papers and linked to two Bangladeshi businessmen.
In his interview with TimesYunus said it was an “irony” that Siddiq had been accused of corruption.
Mr. Yunus referred to a recently published official report that found the people linked Awami League the regime had been extracting billions of dollars a year Bangladeshwith certain funds used to purchase assets, including real estate abroad.
“They pointed out how money is stolen, but it’s not stealing – when you steal, you hide it. It’s a robbery,” he said.
Asked if it could apply to properties used by members of Hasina’s family in London, chief adviser Yunus said: “Absolutely, it is pure robbery. Nothing else.”
“If a British MP is involved, it’s definitely a big issue…We got used to (the previous regime) removing everything, so we’re relieved that you’re bringing this (issue) to the world’s attention,” he said.
Mr. Yunus also said that if possible, the properties bought by Awami League allies should be returned to Bangladesh. He said his officials aimed to recover cash and assets held abroad but originating from funds in Bangladesh.
According to Sunday Timesthe National Crime Agency, Britain’s equivalent of the FBI, indicated its willingness to help Bangladesh recover some assets.
Published – 12 January 2025 17:32 IST
