British MPs Targeted by Disinformation Campaign Amidst Bangladesh Money Laundering Investigation
British Members of Parliament (MPs) believe they have become the target of a sophisticated disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting Ahsan Mansur, the governor of Bangladesh’s central bank. Mansur is currently in London seeking assistance from the UK government and private entities to track down billions of dollars in assets allegedly stolen by allies of the previous Hasina regime. Some of these assets are suspected to have been used to purchase property within the UK.
The disinformation campaign revolves around emails sent to MPs belonging to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on responsible tax and corruption. These emails, purportedly from journalists, linked to articles published on the website International Policy Digest. These articles question the wealth of Mansur’s daughter and insinuate that she should be investigated. Further investigation revealed that the alleged journalists were fabricated, using stock images and non-existent profiles. The timing of these emails, just prior to a scheduled meeting between Mansur and the APPG, raises strong suspicions of a concerted effort to undermine his credibility and obstruct his pursuit of the stolen assets.
Mansur, a former IMF official, believes that individuals currently under investigation for money laundering are behind this smear campaign. He asserts that they are attempting to damage his reputation and deflect attention from their own illicit activities. He further clarified that his daughter, a US citizen, has minimal connection to Bangladesh and no involvement in the alleged financial misconduct.
The disinformation campaign extends beyond the fabricated journalist emails. MP Rupa Huq, a member of the APPG, received a separate email from a UK public relations firm, Palatine Communications, also containing a link to the same International Policy Digest articles. This email suggested that Mansur’s scrutiny of others should be reciprocated towards him and his family. Notably, the email linked Mansur to criticisms of Tulip Siddiq, former City minister and niece of Sheikh Hasina, who is also currently under investigation for corruption in Bangladesh. Mansur denies making any comments about Siddiq.
This incident comes amidst an already complex and sensitive situation involving the transition of power in Bangladesh and the ongoing investigation into corruption allegations against figures associated with the previous government. The involvement of Tulip Siddiq, a British MP, further complicates matters and raises concerns about potential political interference. MPs fear these actions are intended to intimidate and disrupt parliamentary proceedings related to the investigation.
The APPG has taken the matter seriously, referring the emails to parliamentary cyber security advisors and the parliamentary foreign affairs committee, which is currently investigating disinformation tactics. MPs are calling for a thorough investigation to identify the individuals behind the campaign, their motives, and the source of funding. They emphasize the need to understand the scope of such campaigns to better protect parliamentary processes from external manipulation. Palatine Communications claims to have acted independently in sending the email to Huq, emphasizing that the article merely raised concerns and did not present definitive truth. International Policy Digest maintains that the articles are accurate while acknowledging the author’s desire for anonymity. This incident highlights the growing concern surrounding disinformation and its potential to undermine democratic processes and institutions.