Tulip Siddiq has refuted allegations by Bangladeshi authorities, calling them false and part of a targeted campaign against her. Following her resignation amid scrutiny, she questions why the government has not approached her directly regarding the claims. Siddiq’s legal team argues that there is no substantial basis for the allegations and emphasizes her innocence regarding the alleged financial misconduct.
Tulip Siddiq, the former Labour Treasury minister, has asserted that the Bangladeshi authorities have levied “false and vexatious” claims against her in what she describes as a “targeted and baseless” campaign. This statement comes following her resignation in January amid scrutiny over her connections with her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh opposition figures have called for Siddiq to be extradited due to allegations related to her involvement in a nuclear power plant deal with Russia and accusations of money laundering. In her initial response since stepping down, Ms. Siddiq questioned the lack of direct communication from the Bangladeshi government regarding the allegations while noting its consistent briefings to UK media.
Ms. Siddiq’s lawyers have accused the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of spearheading an “on-going targeted and baseless campaign” against her. They pointed out that the ACC is scrutinizing whether Siddiq’s £700,000 London property was financed by embezzled funds, a claim her legal team deemed “absurd.” They emphasized that no formal allegations have been presented to her, either transparently or properly by the ACC or any official from the Bangladeshi government.
The letters from her legal team assert that the media has been utilized to propagate unfounded allegations against Ms. Siddiq. They contend there is no substantial case for her to answer, arguing that the ACC’s investigation lacks sincerity and factual merit. Furthermore, they maintain that Ms. Siddiq does not possess any illicit wealth in Bangladesh, reiterating that the allegations leveled against her are completely unfounded.
After living in properties associated with Her aunt’s political allies, Ms. Siddiq self-reported to the Prime Minister’s ethics advisor in January, ahead of an independent inquiry into her conduct. Despite being cleared of breaching the ministerial code, she resigned to prevent any distractions from governmental activities.
Mohammad Abdul Momen, the chairman of the ACC, expressed confidence in the allegations against Ms. Siddiq, asserting that they would hold up in a court of law. Momen, having pursued advanced degrees in the UK, commented on the robust standards of governance and political accountability.
In summary, Tulip Siddiq has publicly decried the accusations made by the Bangladeshi authorities as false and part of a targeted campaign against her. Despite calls for her extradition and scrutiny over her financial dealings, she firmly denies any wrongdoing and points to a lack of official communication regarding the allegations. Her resignation amidst the corruption allegations has raised significant discourse surrounding transparency and governmental ethics.
Original Source: www.inkl.com
