UK’s former minister and the niece of the ousted prime minister of Bangladesh, Tulip Siddiq has accused the chief adviser of the interim government, Dr Muhammad Yunus, and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of launching an "orchestrated campaign" to interfere in British politics and damage her reputation.
This accusation has been made in a legal notice sent by Tulip to Dr Yunus and the ACC, reports Sky News.
In the notice, Tulip Siddiq alleged that Dr Muhammad Yunus and the ACC aimed to damage her reputation. She said the allegations were part of an attempt to interfere in UK politics—particularly in her constituency, her political party, and her role in public service—which she described as completely unacceptable.
Tulip sent the notice through UK-based law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP. The notice also criticizes the interim government for not responding to her previous letters.
The legal notice says that letters were sent to the ACC chairman and commissioners on March 18 and April 15, and another to Chief Adviser Dr Yunus on June 4.
In the latest correspondence sent to Professor Muhammad Yunus and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), lawyers representing former UK minister Tulip Siddiq stated that it was time for the chief adviser and the ACC to end what they described as a misguided and unlawful campaign aimed at damaging Siddiq’s reputation and interfering with her public service.
Responding to the legal letter, Press Secretary of the Chief Adviser Shafiqul Alam said: "The chief adviser and the Anti-Corruption Commission ( ACC) of Bangladesh has no reason and scope to interfere in UK Politics.
"The Anti-Corruption Commission relies not on hearsay but on documentary evidence and witness testimony."
The press secretary added: "We hope both the British legal system and the British press appreciate that any pending criminal charge will be resolved in the courts under the provisions of laws of the land.
"Since the courts have summoned Ms Siddiq and warrants have also been issued, it is her responsibility to defend her position in court.
"If she needs any legal support and is unable to obtain it herself, Bangladesh will provide it. If Ms Siddiq wilfully ignores the court summons, proceedings against her may proceed in absentia."
Stephenson Harwood also criticized Dr Yunus’s reasoning in his BBC interview for not meeting Tulip. It believes there are two reasons why Dr Yunus declined to meet Tulip.
First, the allegations he made against her are false. Second, by refusing to engage in open discussion, he chose to stay shielded behind the ACC, which the law firm sees as the other likely reason for rejecting the meeting proposal.
A copy of the notice sent to the ACC chairman was also reportedly forwarded to the chief adviser.
In the notice, Tulip said given the overall situation, it is now time for the chief adviser and the ACC to withdraw from this false campaign.”
The correspondence also sets a deadline of June 30 for the Bangladeshi authorities to reply by, stating that "in the absence of a full and proper response… Ms Siddiq will consider this matter closed".