Palatine Media, a UK PR firm, attempted to smear Ahsan Mansur, the Bangladesh Bank governor, by sending false corruption allegations to British MPs. Mansur is actively working to recover approximately $25 billion allegedly misappropriated during the Awami League’s tenure. The firm’s efforts have drawn criticism and scrutiny from parliamentarians, leading to investigations regarding misinformation and ethical breaches in lobbying practices.
A public relations firm in the UK, Palatine Media, attempted to undermine Ahsan Mansur, the governor of the Bangladesh Bank, by disseminating false corruption claims to British Members of Parliament. This occurred just as Mansur was to engage with them regarding the repatriation of approximately $25 billion allegedly misappropriated during the Awami League’s administration. Mansur has been a pivotal figure in seeking the return of these embezzled funds, believed to have been funneled into luxury properties in the UK.
The Bangladesh Bank has identified significant individuals linked to these funds, including former officials and business figures like Saifuzzaman Chowdhury. For instance, Chowdhury is reported to own extensive property holdings in the UK, while other notable figures, including Salman F. Rahman, also possess assets there. It is suggested that these individuals, facing legal scrutiny, have motivated Palatine Media to launch a smear campaign against Mansur, who has retained a strong professional reputation and has no prior allegations against him.
Palatine Media’s communications claimed that Mansur’s family holds unexplained wealth abroad. However, these allegations were founded on insufficient evidence and an article that merely mentioned his daughter’s role in a Singaporean company, without implicating any illegal activities. The article’s authorship is also questionable, as it appeared to use a stock image, raising doubts about the legitimacy of the claims made.
The email sent by Palatine Media to MPs contravened ethical standards set by the UK’s Chartered Institute of Public Relations, which mandates that communications must be factual and transparently disclose interests. The spokesperson from Palatine Media refuted the accusations, claiming no lobbying was conducted, yet their actions have incited concern amongst UK parliamentarians and prompted a recommendation for an investigation.
Mansur, reinforcing his commitment to asset recovery, criticized the smear campaign as a targeted attack on his integrity. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Responsible Tax and Corruption has since alerted parliamentary cybersecurity and the Foreign Affairs Committee regarding the misinformation, highlighting the need for vigilance against such disinformation efforts. This incident exemplifies the ongoing struggle against corruption in Bangladesh and reflects the challenges posed by disinformation in the political landscape.
The attempted discrediting of Ahsan Mansur by Palatine Media illustrates the ongoing challenges of corruption and misinformation in international relations. Despite the PR firm’s efforts to misrepresent Mansur to UK officials, the backlash and subsequent parliamentary scrutiny demonstrate the resilience of ethical standards in public discourse. This situation highlights the need for transparency and integrity in discussions concerning governance and accountability in Bangladesh. It is crucial for the concerned authorities to investigate and address these allegations to maintain credibility and support in tackling corruption effectively.
Original Source: www.tbsnews.net
