of the Force as necessary, but for reasons of security would have to be sealed off from it.
Whether the unit should be organically separate and staffed by secondees, or continue to be nominally part of the Force as is the present Anti-Corruption Branch, I have not yet decided. But I am somewhat inclined to the former course, provided it would not detract from efficiency, because it would command greater public confidence. In this case the director of the unit would work direct to the Governor, though he would of course work in the closest co-operation with the Commissioner of Police.
I am satisfied that there is sufficient enthusiasm amongst the honest majority at all levels for a clean-up to ensure that there would be a good response if secondees were called for for a separate unit.
I have talked all this over with Brian Slevin who will be taking over from Sutcliffe in January, and also Anthony Royle. We would all be grateful and relieved if you would take on the job of director of the new unit long enough to lick it into shape and get the clean-up under way. We reckon this would be about a two year job, during which you would need to spend the bulk of your time in Hong Kong.
It would be a great public service and a fascinating job, though a very difficult and demanding one, and both Brian Slevin and I would be delighted to be working with you again. But we both feel somewhat conscience stricken in suggesting that you and Dolly should leave your well-earned retirement to take it on. However, we are agreed that you would be the ideal man to do it, and that unlike anyone else you could count on the confidence of the honest members of the police, public service, and public, from the start.
If you are prepared to consider this proposal I think we should meet soon to talk details. I will be in the UK until 15 September and will be in London from 11 to 15 September. Between now and 11 September my address will be:-
Beoch Maybole
Ayrshire (telephone Maybole 3114)
I would be very grateful if you could let me have as soon as possible an indication of whether you are interested or not. If you are, we could fix up details of a meeting.
PERSONAL
Murray MacLehose