Tulip Accuses Dr Yunus of Smear Campaign, Issues Legal Notice

Dr Yunus and Tulip Siddiq. File photo

Tulip Siddiq, a UK Labour MP and niece of ousted Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina, has issued a legal notice to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), accusing them of waging a defamation campaign to damage her reputation and political standing in the UK.

The notice, reported by Sky News on Monday, claims that remarks made by Professor Yunus during a recent interview and the government’s ongoing corruption inquiries are part of a politically motivated smear effort.

According to the legal notice, Tulip had requested a meeting with the interim Bangladeshi leader during his recent UK visit to clarify the allegations, but her request was declined. The chief adviser reportedly said he did not want to “interrupt a legal procedure.”

The Labour MP argued that Yunus’ public comments—particularly his suggestion that she had “so much wealth left behind” and “should be made responsible”—had prejudiced any chance of a fair investigation, and as such, the inquiries should be dropped.

“The copious briefings to the media, the failure to respond to our letters seeking clarification and dialogue, and the refusal to meet with Ms Siddiq during the UK visit are impossible to justify and completely inconsistent with a fair and lawful investigation,” the notice states.

The legal notice sets a deadline of 30 June 2025 for a formal response. Failing that, Tulip says she will consider the matter closed.

Bangladeshi authorities maintain they have evidence of corruption and are pursuing the case through legal channels.

Speaking to Sky News, Tulip said, “I will not be dragged into their world of dirty politics. Nothing will stop me from doing the job I was elected to do for Hampstead and Highgate. This political vendetta and malicious persecution must end.”

Professor Yunus, a Nobel laureate, became Bangladesh’s interim leader last August after mass protests forced Sheikh Hasina from office. He has pledged to eliminate corruption and recover alleged stolen assets before holding national elections.