London, June 8 (TOB) – Tulip Siddiq, former UK City minister, has requested a meeting with Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus during his upcoming London visit to address what she calls a “misunderstanding” following corruption allegations made by Dhaka authorities, reports the Guardian.

The claims led to her resignation from the UK government last month.

Siddiq, niece of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina—who was recently tried in absentia for crimes against humanity—has been accused by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of benefiting from her aunt’s regime. The ACC alleges Siddiq, or her mother, unlawfully acquired a 7,200 sq ft plot of land through “abuse of power.”

In a letter to Yunus, seen by the Guardian, Siddiq denied all charges as “politically motivated smears” and lamented the ACC’s refusal to engage with her legal team. “They send correspondence to a random Dhaka address while briefing media about a fantasy investigation,” she wrote.

Though cleared by UK ministerial standards adviser Laurie Magnus in January, Siddiq stepped down as economic secretary, citing distractions for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government.

The ACC’s probe stems from allegations by Sheikh Hasina’s political rival Bobby Hajjaj, accusing the former PM’s family of embezzling billions from infrastructure projects. Last month, Bangladeshi media reported an arrest warrant for Siddiq, which she claims no knowledge of.

The UK, a Category 2B extradition partner, requires substantial evidence before considering such requests. Meanwhile, the National Crime Agency recently froze £90m worth of London properties linked to Hasina associates.

Yunus, scheduled to meet King Charles and PM Starmer next week, has yet to respond to Siddiq’s meeting request.

The ACC investigation revisits longstanding corruption allegations against Sheikh Hasina’s administration, with Siddiq becoming the latest family member embroiled in the controversy.

Here is the full text of Tulip Siddiqs letter to Muhamad Yunus

Dear Professor Yunus,

I understand that you may be flying to London on an official visit in the next few weeks and wish to extend a warm welcome to you here.  As a Member of Parliament and former Minister of the Crown, I have always sought to foster a strong and healthy relationship between our two countries, not least because of the significant British -Bangladeshi community in London of which I’m proud to be a part.  I wish your visit every success.

I would also like to invite you to join me for lunch or afternoon tea at the House of Commons whilst you are here. We share a passion and commitment to public service and these are challenging times for those of us trying to safeguard due-process, good governance and the rule of law. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts, and having been Economic Secretary to the Treasury I’ve always been interested by your historic work on economic and social development.

A meeting might also help clear up the misunderstanding perpetuated by the Anti Corruption Commission in Dhaka that I have questions to answer in relation to my mother’s sister, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina. I am a U.K. citizen, born in London and representing the people of Hampstead and Highgate in Parliament for the last decade. I have no property nor any business interests whatsoever in Bangladesh. The country is dear to my heart but it is not the country where I was born, live in or have built my career in.

I have sought to clarify this to the ACC but they refuse to engage with my lawyers in London and apparently keep sending correspondence to a random address in Dhaka. Every move in this fantasy investigation is briefed to the media and, yet no engagement was facilitated with my legal team. I know you’ll appreciate how important it is to ensure those reports do not become a distraction from the critical work of doing my very best for my constituents and my country.

I would be extremely grateful for your help in clearing up the confusion and, ahead of our meeting, I would be happy to share with you the detailed rebuttals from my lawyers to the ACC.

Member of Parliament for Hampstead and Highgate

020 8127 5525 | tulip.siddiq.mp@parliament.uk | @TulipSiddiq

 TULIP SIDDIQ MP

 HOUSE OF COMMONS

LONDON

SW1A 0AA

I could also forward a copy of the report by The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner here in

London who cleared me of any wrongdoing last year.

Please let me know when would be the best time in your busy schedule for us to meet at the

Palace of Westminster.  I look forward to it.

Best wishes,

Tulip Siddiq MP

Member of Parliament for Hampstead and Highgate

Tulip Siddiq, Bangladesh, Yunus, Corruption charges, Letter,