United News of Bangladesh

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has accused Lord Peter Mandelson of repeatedly lying about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and expressed regret over appointing him as the UK’s ambassador to the United States in 2024. Starmer told Parliament that Mandelson “betrayed our country” and concealed the full extent of his links with Epstein, adding that the vetting process had flagged Mandelson’s ongoing association with the financier. The prime minister said he will release all material relating to Mandelson’s appointment, except for highly sensitive documents involving national security or international relations. The controversy escalated after emails emerged showing Mandelson exchanging messages with Epstein on the day of the latter’s release from prison in 2009, including discussions about strippers and personal jokes. Mandelson has not responded publicly, but sources indicate he maintains he did not act criminally or for financial gain. Labour MPs expressed outrage over the limited disclosure plan, with Deputy Leader Angela Rayner and others demanding a parliamentary committee have a role in deciding which documents are released. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of attempting to “sabotage” the disclosure, while Shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart pressed for transparency regarding the due diligence process. Meanwhile, Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has launched an “investigatory audit” into Scottish government dealings with Mandelson, including his hosting of Swinney at his Washington residence during a trip to lobby US officials on whisky tariffs. Swinney described Starmer’s judgment in appointing Mandelson as “completely flawed” and “disastrous.” The debate has also raised questions about national security and potential leaks. Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey asked whether sensitive information may have been passed to Russian agents, citing ongoing investigations by Polish authorities into Epstein’s alleged links with Moscow. Starmer emphasized that the government will fully cooperate with criminal investigations. The episode has intensified scrutiny of Starmer’s decision-making and promises to affect parliamentary debates and public perception as the process of document disclosure begins.   With inputs from BBC

Leader of the Opposition and Head of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer on Saturday said ‘Bangladesh and the UK are bound by excellent ties and further reinforced by the British-Bangladesh diaspora’. He observed this during his meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her place of residence here. The prime minister is in London on a four-day visit to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. According to a press release, Sheikh Hasina reiterated her profound condolences at the Queen’s demise. Also read: Commonwealth must keep Queen's memory alive: PM Hasina Starmer thanked the prime minister for her tribute in memory of the Queen. They also recalled Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s meeting and personal rapport with the former Labour prime minister Harold Wilson. Hasina thanked the Labour leader for his messages on the occasions of Bangabandhu’s birth centenary and the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence. He recalled his visit to Bangladesh in 2016 and his meeting with the prime minister at the time. He expressed satisfaction at the growing number of people of Bangladesh origin being elected to offices from the Labour Party around the UK. He said that the Labour Party was working on promoting and nurturing young generation leaders that should attract more British-Bangladeshi youth. The two leaders discussed the impact of the war in Ukraine, particularly on the Global South. PM Hasina underscored the need for a negotiated settlement of the conflict to protect common people around the world from food, energy and financial insecurities. She suggested reviewing whether the sanctions imposed in the wake of the war were having otherwise implications for people in the developing countries. The two sides exchanged views on the possible impacts on bilateral trade relations due to the ongoing inflationary pressures and cost-of-living crisis. The Labour Party leader said they would continue to advocate for the big retailers in the UK and the West to share the costs with the readymade garment manufacturers. Starmer appreciated Bangladesh’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic under the prime minister’s leadership. He reiterated the Labour Party’s commitment to work with vulnerable countries like Bangladesh on climate change issues. Also read: Bangladesh eager to take part in vaccine research & development: PM The Bangladesh premier appreciated the widening climate partnership between the two countries. Hasina briefed the Labour Party leader about the growing burden on Bangladesh due to the prolonged presence of the Rohingya from Myanmar. They discussed the recent flare-up of armed conflicts in close proximity to Bangladesh’s border. The prime minister pointed out that Bangladesh was exercising the utmost restraint despite spill-over effects of the conflicts inside its territory. Later, Lord Swaraj Paul of Marylebone paid a courtesy call on her The veteran Member of the UK House of Lords reiterated his appreciation for the prime minister’s leadership. He expressed interest in further promoting business and education partnerships between the two countries.