A British Labour Party minister has recently been named in an investigation, claiming her family to have embezzled up to £3.9bn (Tk 590 billion) from infrastructure projects in Bangladesh.
Tulip Siddiq, 42, a British-Bangladeshi politician andTreasury's Economic Secretary, responsible for tackling corruption in UK financial markets has been alleged to have brokered a Nuclear Power Plant deal with Russia in 2013reportedly by over-inflating project cost.
However, the allegation is part of a wider investigation launched by Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) into Siddiq's aunt, Sheikh Hasina, deposed as prime minister while fleeing to India in early August.
Though the accused minister has dismissed all allegations as 'trumped-up charges' and 'completely politically motivated', we consider the allegation as very serious in nature while interfering and influencing policy making decisions of another independent and sovereign nation.
ACC has also alleged that the UK minister had been instrumental in managing affairs and coordinating meetings with Russian government officials to orchestrate the £10b Rooppur Power Plant Project deal.
A BBC report has also clearly mentioned that the Rooppurnuclear power plant's project cost has been increased by £1 billion. Court documents examined by the BBC reported that £3.9bn was embezzled through the project via a complex network of banks and overseas companies. Moreover, video footages from 2013, recorded by the Associated Press also clearly showed the accused minister being present at the deal's signing ceremony alongside former PM Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin at kremlin.
Question involuntarily arise about a British politician's uncalled-for presence at such a crucial deal signing ceremony coupled with documents on embezzling such a colossal amount of money abroad.
UK Minister Siddiq had previously denied any wrongdoing and said she was present at the signing ceremony as part of a 'family occasion'.
Are we to believe, Government-to-Government deal signing ceremonies are fast turning into a 'Family occasion' for members of our political dynasties? Even more shocking as it may appear - the accused minister is currently holding office with the portfolio for tackling corruption in UK financial markets.
However, the graft allegations against the UK minister have sparked a media frenzy not only in that country, but also in Bangladesh.
We make an urgent call to the British Government to probe into the allegations while co-operating with our ACC, so to unearth the truth, and to ensure that in case the accused minister is found guilty, she must face music.
Downing Street by now has confirmed that Minister Siddiq would continue her anti-corruption duties but has stepped back from decision making related to Bangladesh.
Yet, we feel it imperative for the British Government to quick investigate into the serious accusation.
