1 day ago
Last Updated:June 12, 2025, 12:22 IST
Keir Starmer has reportedly refused to meet Bangladesh's Yunus during his UK visit aimed at seeking help to recover funds allegedly siphoned by the former Sheikh Hasina regime.
File photos of Muhammad Yunus/Keir Starmer (AP)
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reportedly turned down a request to meet Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, who is on a bilateral official visit to the United Kingdom from June 10 to 13, to raise support for efforts to recover billions of dollars siphoned off by the deposed Sheikh Hasina’s regime.
During his visit, Yunus was expecting a bilateral meeting with Starmer and to have an audience with King Charles III of the United Kingdom, for which a formal letter was sent from the Awami League’s UK branch to Downing Street, it was learnt earlier this week.
However, a report with the Financial Times has claimed Starmer did not agree to meet Yunus.
Moreover, Yunus told the publication that the UK should feel “morally" obliged to help Bangladesh’s new government track down funds “stolen" by the previous regime, much of it allegedly now in the UK.
“I have no direct conversation with him (Starmer)", the report quoted Yunus as saying.
He added that he had “no doubt" Starmer would support Bangladesh’s efforts, the report claimed.
“This is stolen money," he said of the misappropriated funds.
The report also quoted UK government officials as saying that there was no plan for Starmer to meet Yunus at present.
While Yunus said the UK government was already providing assistance in finding the money, he said the UK should feel “legally and morally" obliged to help Bangladesh recover it, the report claimed.
The objective of the trip was to bring out “more enthusiastic support" from the UK, Yunus said, according to the report.
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Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
News world Keir Starmer Declines To Meet Bangladesh Chief Adviser Yunus During His London Visit: Report
