UK KC’s Brush with Bangladeshi Controversy
One of Britain’s best known KCs, Desmond Browne KC, a man who has previously advised clients like Elton John and Victoria Beckham, had also advised deposed Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s (pictured above) regime, following a damning exposé on state corruption.
The story unfolded when a crumpled document discovered in Hasina’s ransacked home revealed that Bangladeshi officials in February 2021 with officials seeking advice on pursuing journalists behind a damning exposé of state-sponsored corruption.
The matter came to light after The Sunday Times found a crumpled document in Sheikh Hasina’s bedroom in her ransacked former residence in Dhaka which revealed that Browne agreed to meet the officials.
The controversy began after Al Jazeera aired a documentary, “All The Prime Minister’s Men”, which exposed state corruption.
Last week Tulip Siddiq, Hasina’s niece, resigned her position as economic secretary to the Treasury and former anti-corruption minister, following the inquiry into homes that she was given to herself and family members by wealthy Bangladeshis.
The controversy stems from an Al Jazeera documentary that had aired days earlier, unveiling alleged corruption within Hasina’s administration. The film’s impact was significant, leading to U.S. sanctions and sparking concerns about press freedom.
When questioned about his involvement, Browne invoked the “cab rank” rule, a fundamental principle of the legal profession. He stated, “It is not open to a barrister to refuse instructions from a potential client on the basis that they regard the client as disreputable.”
Forensic Skills
Desmond Browne, 77, is a distinguished barrister who specialises in communications and defamation law and comes with an elite educational background from Eton and Oxford. He has served as chairman of the Bar and heading chambers at 5RB.
His reputation for meticulous work had earned him recognition from the BBC and a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
On February 10, 2021, Browne participated in a virtual meeting with officials from the High Commission in London when he expressed willingness to represent them in a potential case against Al Jazeera but advised that they first needed to engage a solicitor who would then instruct him.
Browne recommended Jeremy Clarke-Williams, a reputation management and privacy expert at Pennington Manches Cooper, with whom he had previously collaborated.
Following Browne’s suggestion, representatives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government contacted Clarke-Williams and arranged a meeting for February 17 at 6pm. During this discussion, Hasina’s representatives expressed concern about a documentary they claimed had severely damaged the Prime Minister’s reputation, despite allegedly lacking substantial content. They argued that the film had created a perception of widespread corruption.
The Bangladeshi officials inquired about the possibility of initiating defamation proceedings, either by the government itself, other institutions such as the Bangladeshi Army, or individuals like the army chief.
They also mentioned the option of having a third party, such as a retired army official not featured in the documentary, file a case on behalf of the army or the Prime Minister. Additionally, the officials expressed readiness to pursue legal action against individual journalists, specifically naming David Bergman, whom they accused of being behind the “politically motivated story” and claimed was “to be arrested in Bangladesh”.
Interesting piece on Desmond Browne’s diversity in clientele. It’s curious how the same skills for media law cross over into the political field quite fluidly. It’s a testament to the fundamental nature of communication law, transcending the boundaries between showbiz and governance. What do you think, LawFuel Contributor?
Desmond Browne’s past cases involving Elton John and Victoria Beckham showcase his dominance in defamation law, but advising Sheikh Hasina adds an intriguing political twist to his portfolio. It raises questions about how legal practices intersect with political responsibilities, especially in cases regarding state corruption.
while browning has an impressive record, isn’t there a moral line crossed when advising regimes accused of corruption? isn’t there a risk of legal skills being misused to whitewash questionable actions? eager to hear your thoughts.
that’s a valid point but consider the legal principle that everyone deserves representation. it’s a complex issue for sure.
Desmond Browne’s career trajectory from defending celebrities to advising political figures is fascinating. It’s as if the worlds of popular culture and global politics are not as distant as they appear. Yet, one wonders about the ethical implications of these legal adventures.
desmond browne seems to have his hands in all the pies, from celebs to deposed prime ministers. guessing there’s not much difference between tabloid drama and political scandals after all. who knew?