Palatine Media’s Attempt to Smear Bangladesh’s Central Banker Fails
Palatine Media, a UK PR firm, attempted to discredit Ahsan Mansur, governor of Bangladesh Bank, through false corruption allegations. These claims surfaced ahead of Mansur’s meetings with UK MPs, aimed at recovering $25 billion allegedly embezzled by the previous Awami League regime. The allegations were unsupported and raised significant ethical concerns within lobbying practices.
A recent incident has highlighted an attempt by Palatine Media, a UK public relations firm, to undermine the reputation of Ahsan Mansur, the governor of Bangladesh Bank. In advance of his meetings with British Members of Parliament regarding the recovery of allegedly misappropriated funds, the firm disseminated unfounded corruption claims against him. This purported smear campaign followed Mansur’s initiatives to reclaim about $25 billion purportedly stolen during the previous Awami League administration.
The funds in question are believed to have been embezzled through fraudulent loans arranged for pro-Awami League businessmen, with some of the misappropriated wealth tracked to the UK where it has been utilized for lavish property purchases. Notable individuals, such as former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury and the family members of Salman F. Rahman, have been identified among the alleged perpetrators.
Despite the troubling accusations against these businessmen, Mansur remains committed to his role in asset recovery. The backlash from the allegations has prompted figures like S. Alam to engage top legal defense firms to safeguard their interests. In a surprising twist, Palatine Media, whose client identity remains confidential, directed emails containing overblown allegations at UK parliamentarians before Mansur’s scheduled discussions, seeking to discredit his credibility.
The allegations presented by Palatine Media centred on purportedly unexplained overseas wealth linked to Mansur’s family. However, the supporting article referenced provided no tangible evidence of such wealth, instead relating to Mansur’s daughter’s legitimate business dealings as a company co-director in Singapore. Such insinuations have been criticized for lacking foundation, especially given the serious claims under investigation in Bangladesh.
Doubts concerning the authenticity of the original allegations have also arisen, as the identified author, ‘William Fry,’ appears to be a pseudonym associated with a stock photo, raising questions about the credibility of the claims. Despite Palatine Media’s distancing from the article, their actions have raised concerns regarding adherence to ethical lobbying standards as outlined by the UK’s Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
The communication’s potential to mislead UK politicians has attracted attention from parliamentary officials, prompting an inquiry into the firm’s motives. Mansur, along with advocates for financial accountability, have regarded the correspondence as an underhanded attempt to undermine vital discussions on corruption recovery in Bangladesh. Evidence suggests that the efforts by Palatine Media are emblematic of a broader tactic employed by the Awami League and its affiliates to obstruct narratives of accountability and governance in the country.
The actions of Palatine Media, attempting to tarnish the reputation of Ahsan Mansur through unsupported allegations, have backfired. The firm faces scrutiny and potential violations of ethical lobbying standards for its misleading communications. This episode highlights ongoing challenges regarding accountability and corruption in Bangladesh, further demonstrating the lengths some parties may go to protect their interests amidst serious financial misconduct allegations.
Original Source: www.tbsnews.net
