Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu today apologised in parliament for his comment alleging lawmakers, peoples’ representatives and diplomats being involved in corruption in Test Relief (TR) and Food For Work (FFW) programmes.

The minister also said that his comment was unintentional and has withdrawn his comment in face of severe criticism by the lawmakers, parliament sources said.

Earlier in the day, Cabinet members came down heavily on the information minister after he expressed regret over his comment during a Cabinet meeting.

After the regular session of the Cabinet was over, the information minister delivered a written speech apologising for his comment on TR and FFW programmes as it was not intentional.

“Being a member of the parliament, I respect all the lawmakers and peoples’ representatives. This respect is still untarnished. Still if anyone has been unintentionally hurt then I express my regret,” Inu said.

Cabinet sources said, after the minister read this message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that an arrow and a statement can never return once they have been delivered.

The premier also remarked that the minister by his comment on the lawmakers had brought allegations of corruption against even her and also against himself as they both were lawmakers, and asked him to give explanation for his remarks. 

State Minister for Labour Mujibul Haque Chunnu said, “I have been working as a member of parliament since 2009. If anyone can say or prove that I stole even an ounce of wheat, I will resign from my post. Information minister has blamed us all over corruption which was not right. He has humiliated us," he added.

Inu made the comment on TR and FFW programmes at a conference of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) in the capital yesterday.