“If it is part of the legal procedure, of course.”
Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus has refused to meet Tulip Siddiq during his official visit to London.
Siddiq had requested a meeting to discuss corruption allegations made against her by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which she has described as a “politically motivated smear campaign”.
But Yunus said: “No I’m not because it’s a legal procedure. I don’t want to interrupt a legal procedure. Let the procedure continue.”
Yunus, who leads Bangladesh’s interim government following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said he would not intervene in the ongoing investigation.
He said: “It’s a court matter.
“A court will decide if enough materials are available to pursue the case or cancel it.”
The ACC accuses Tulip Siddiq of illegally receiving land from her aunt Hasina’s administration.
Hasina, who led the ruling Awami League, was forced from office in 2024 after a mass student-led uprising.
Siddiq, MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, has denied the allegations and claimed Bangladeshi authorities are targeting her because of her family ties.
In a letter to Yunus, she said a meeting “might also help clear up the misunderstanding perpetuated by the Anti-Corruption Commission in Dhaka”.
But Yunus said: “As chief adviser, I have full confidence in our Anti-Corruption Commission and they are doing the right thing.”
Pressed on whether Bangladesh would seek Siddiq’s extradition if she were convicted, Yunus said:
“If it is part of the legal procedure, of course.”
Siddiq, who resigned from her Treasury post earlier in 2025, said she was disappointed Yunus had declined her request.
She said: “He’s been at the heart of a political vendetta based on fantasy accusations with no evidence, relentlessly briefed to the media.
“If this was a serious legal process, they would engage with my lawyers rather than sending bogus correspondence to an address in Dhaka where I have never lived.
“I hope he is now serious about ending the practice of smearing me in the press and allowing the courts to establish that their investigations have nothing to do with me – a British citizen and a proud member of the UK Parliament.”
An investigation by Sir Laurie Magnus found no evidence of wrongdoing by Tulip Siddiq.
However, Magnus noted it was “regrettable” that she had not been more alert to the “potential reputational risks” of her links to Hasina.
The Bangladeshi government claims £174 billion was embezzled while Hasina was in power. Officials allege large sums were transferred to the UK.
Yunus said his government had hired legal counsel in Britain to recover the funds.
He said:
“I have a lot of admiration for the promptness with which they’re treating the whole subject.”
The UK’s National Crime Agency is supporting the International Anti-Corruption Co-ordination Centre (IACCC) in exploring options to help Bangladesh.
An NCA spokesperson said: “The NCA does not routinely comment on the nature of international assistance, nor confirm or deny if the Agency has opened an investigation or is supporting a partner’s investigation.”
During his visit, Yunus met Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and King Charles III but did not meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Yunus said: “I don’t know whether I should be disappointed or he should be disappointed. It’s a missed opportunity.
“That’s why I’m saying coming to Bangladesh would be a good opportunity to relax and see and feel the moment.
“I don’t think we have received an explanation from that kind of thing. Probably he is busy with other important things.”
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