Action against Tulip based on specific information, not interference in British politics: ACC chairman

The corruption case against former UK minister Tulip Siddiq is based on specific evidence and information, not harassment, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen has said. 

He said the ACC is not interfering in British politics.

Talking to reporters at a press briefing today (24 June), the ACC chairman also called on Tulip to come to court and face the case like other accused persons instead of exchanging letters.

Tulip’s lawyer recently sent a letter to the ACC claiming that the interim government and ACC are trying to interfere in British politics. 

When asked about this, the ACC chairman said, “My simple question is: What kind of case is Tulip Siddiq’s case that would make Britain’s fragile politics even more fragile? We can look at this differently.”

Emphasising that Tulip wants to settle the case by exchanging letters, Momen said, “A criminal who commits a crime in a country must face it in that country. It now seems she probably wants to settle the case through exchanging letters. This shouldn’t happen. The case is in court. Tulip Siddiq must appear in court and face the case.”

Stating that Tulip’s case is not a political case, he said, “This is neither a politically motivated case nor a case to belittle anyone. Tulip Siddiq is an accused, like many other accused individuals. We have many bigger cases than this.”

The ACC chairman further said, “Tulip is a Bangladeshi citizen to us. She has a national identity card. She has a TIN. We have filed a case against her in Bangladesh. I believe Tulip will follow Bangladesh’s laws and face the case.”

“Is British politics so fragile that the British government and politics will completely collapse if a case is filed against one of their citizens? Is that even possible?” he asked. 

Calling upon Tulip’s lawyer to be careful in word choice, Momen said, “They are belittling their own country. They are proving that British politics is fragile. What do we have to interfere with? There is no scope for the ACC to go into politics within its jurisdiction.” 

He added, “Tulip knew everything from the beginning, which is why she had to step down from her ministerial position. There are three cases against Tulip. The trial will continue in her absence.”

In response to a separate question, the ACC chairman said the ACC is working on the controversial elections of 2013, 2018, and 2024.

Earlier, on 23 June, former UK minister Tulip Siddiq accused Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and the ACC of trying to interfere in British politics. 

In a legal letter sent to Yunus and the ACC, she said their purpose was to damage her reputation.