Tulip Siddiq, a former British minister and current Member of Parliament (MP), has accused Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of orchestrating a “planned campaign” to damage her reputation and interfere in British politics. According to a report by Sky News, this allegation was made in a legal notice sent to Dr. Yunus and the ACC.In the notice, Tulip claims that tarnishing her reputation is the main goal of Dr. Yunus and the ACC. She accuses them of interfering in UK politics, particularly in her electoral constituency, her political party, and her public service work—actions she describes as entirely unacceptable.Tulip sent this legal notice through the UK-based law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP. The notice also criticizes the interim government for not responding to her previous letters.Tulip Siddiq, niece of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, stated in the notice that she had sent letters to the ACC chairman and commissioners on March 18 and April 15, followed by another to Chief Advisor Yunus on June 4.Stephenson Harwood said:”We, or Tulip Siddiq, have not received any responses to our letters. We clearly stated that Tulip is the victim of a coordinated campaign led by the Chief Advisor and the ACC. Our communications outlined why each allegation against Tulip is false.”The notice also criticizes Dr. Yunus for refusing to meet Tulip. Hearing about Yunus’s London visit, Tulip had expressed interest in meeting him to discuss the allegations made by the ACC. However, the Chief Advisor “regrettably failed” to accept her proposal.In an interview with BBC Radio, Yunus was asked why he didn’t meet the British Prime Minister and why he declined to meet Tulip. The law firm criticized Yunus’s responses, saying:”The Chief Advisor took a surprising stance. He said it was a legal matter and he did not want to interfere.”The notice further states:”We expected the Chief Advisor to verify facts before making allegations against an elected representative in the UK. Given that an investigation by the ACC is supposedly ongoing, it was inappropriate for him to make public comments about Tulip.”According to Stephenson Harwood, there may be two reasons why Yunus refused to meet Tulip:1. The allegations he made are false.2. He deliberately chose to remain shielded behind the ACC.The notice adds that a copy of the notice sent to the ACC Chairman has also been sent to the Chief Advisor. Tulip concludes:”Considering the overall situation, it is now time for the Chief Advisor and the ACC to withdraw from this false campaign.”The law firm concludes the notice by stating:”Please now confirm that the ACC’s investigation has been halted. We clearly state that if this letter and our previous ones are not appropriately answered by June 30, Tulip Siddiq will reasonably consider the matter resolved.”
