Interim leader of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus told journalists today he will visit the UK next week from 10 to 13 June. He’s set to receive an award from the King…
Yunus will also hold bilateral talks with Keir Starmer on his visit to London. He has specified that at the top of his list are Bangladesh’s efforts to recover funds allegedly embezzled by Awami League figures in Sheikh Hasina’s regime and stored in assets abroad. The UK National Crime Agency has frozen around £90 million worth of London properties linked to that regime, including one which was according to the electoral register occupied by Tulip Siddiq’s mother…
The leader has recently discussed the possibility of extraditing Tulip Siddiq in order for her to face charges brought against her by the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission, which is investigating claims that Siddiq and four Hasina family members embezzled £4 billion in a nuclear plant deal. Other charges relate to allegedly corrupt property handovers. For her part, she strenuously denies any and all wrongdoing, as have her lawyers. Things could get awkward for Starmer during this meeting…
Any decision to extradite Siddiq would have to be approved personally by Yvette Cooper after a formal request from Bangladesh. Which says it is considering asking Interpol to issue a ‘red notice’ for Tulip…
Bangladeshi authorities say that wider “discussions with the UK government will be initiated during the chief adviser’s visit to seek cooperation on money recovery.” Bangladesh’s government is intensely focussed on this issue and expects action from the PM…
In Henry Mance’s piece today for the FT, lunching with Nigel Farage:
“Splendido!” Farage says, when the drinks arrive; I suppose it’s a step to European reconciliation. We clink glasses, and he lights the first of two back-to-back Benson & Hedges. A few minutes later, we’re back downstairs. “Are you drinking? Good.” He orders a glass of Sauvignon blanc for each of us — not a bottle, “because it’s Lent” — followed by a bottle of claret, to have with our meal. They say Farage drinks less than he used to. They say a lot of things.”