When Nobel laureate economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus took over as Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, many saw it as a beacon of hope. But that optimism is now clouded by a growing ethical controversy surrounding a recent UK-funded aid disbursement.
The UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is currently supporting Yunus’s interim government through a project titled “Bangladesh – Conflict, Accountability, and Peaceful Politics (B-CAPP)”, which provides technical assistance and governance support.
On March 16, the UK government disbursed £177,233 (approximately Tk. 2 crore) to Canada-based development consultancy Alinea International, which is offering direct technical and strategic assistance to the Chief Adviser’s Office.
While the disbursement may appear routine on paper, the controversy stems from Alinea’s alleged links to William Morrison—a figure at the center of a major UK aid scandal in 2017. Morrison was then affiliated with Adam Smith International (ASI), a private consultancy accused of exploiting confidential UK government documents for business gain. Under intense media and parliamentary scrutiny, Morrison and three other top executives were forced to resign.
At the time, The Sun ran a headline:
“The Four Fat Cats Who Profited Off the Poor Finally Resign.”
Before stepping down, Morrison had received dividends exceeding £100,000, becoming a symbolic face of corporate greed in the aid sector. Now, the Yunus administration’s association with a firm allegedly linked to him is raising troubling questions.
Critics ask:
• Was Alinea’s connection to Morrison disclosed to the Bangladesh government or UK authorities?
• Did the Yunus administration conduct any vetting before awarding this contract?
• What safeguards were put in place to prevent conflicts of interest in foreign-funded projects?
According to the UK Development Tracker, this disbursement is part of a larger £474,468 contract aimed at “strengthening reform management and strategic communications capacity” in the Chief Adviser’s Office. Phrases like “strengthening government messaging and combating misinformation” have also drawn criticism, with many alleging political motivations.
This controversy emerges at a time when the Yunus government is already facing multiple domestic pressures—from student and civil society protests to internal strife within the BNP and reports of discomfort within the armed forces. The overall political climate remains tense.
International signals aren’t encouraging either. During a recent visit to London, Labour leader Keir Starmer’s decision not to meet Yunus has been interpreted by observers as a deliberate political message.
Adding to the concerns, William Morrison now leads a firm called Matrixled, which claims to collaborate with Five Eyes intelligence partners. Although there is no evidence of any foreign intelligence plot behind Sheikh Hasina’s sudden political downfall, Morrison’s reemergence in Bangladesh’s aid landscape is fueling speculation.
Notably, Morrison once claimed on LinkedIn to be an “Advisor to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh”—a statement that has since been deleted.
While Dr. Yunus has long championed ethical development and the empowerment of the poor, governing a country demands more than moral credibility—it requires demonstrable transparency and accountability.
Experts warn that unless Yunus promptly and openly discloses Alinea’s role and addresses the involvement of controversial figures, his administration risks being seen as “an old game wearing a new mask.” And that could jeopardize not only his interim government but his lifelong legacy as well.
