What the Chief Advisor told the BBC about not meeting the British Prime Minister
Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus went on a four-day visit to the UK. Although the visit was called ‘official’, the interim head of government did not meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In this context, Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s disappointment, or why this happened – these questions arose on BBC’s ‘The World Tonight’ program.
Faced with questions from BBC journalist Rajini Vaidyanathan, Professor Yunus said that he was interested in meeting Starmer. However, he does not see this as a disappointment. Rather, he thinks that it has created a new opportunity. ‘Maybe he (Starmer) was busy or it was not possible to meet for some other reason. But it has also created a big opportunity for me. Now that he is busy, I am inviting him to come to Bangladesh. We can spend time together, show what is happening, and he will understand the whole situation. This is a special moment in history that we are going through. In a way, we are leaving the past behind and starting a new future,’ said Dr. Yunus. There are about one million Bangladeshis living in the UK. Bangladeshi culture is also deeply embedded in British life. Still, Starmer could not find time to meet his equal relationship with Dr. Yunus. In response to a question in this regard, the chief adviser said, ‘I don’t know if I will be disappointed or he (Keir Starmer). For some reason, he missed an opportunity, I don’t know. That’s why I said, he should come to Bangladesh. Be a little more calm, understand the situation in Bangladesh, understand the essence of this moment.’
The interview also touched on the issue of Labour Party MP Tulip Siddique. An arrest warrant has been issued against her in a case by the Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Although Tulip Siddique has denied the charges and Britain’s independent ethics adviser has declared her innocent.
The journalist wanted to know if Yunus would meet Tulip? He replied, “No, I will not. It is a legal process, and I do not want to interfere in that process.” When asked about the ACC investigation, Yunus said, “Since it is a matter for the court, the court will decide whether there is enough evidence to prosecute or whether the case should be dismissed.” However, Tulip’s lawyers claim that they have not received any communication from the ACC. Yunus said, “Legal processes take time. Bangladesh has never said that no information will be provided.”
