6/
Michael Macoun and an officer of the reputation of Sir Robert Mark); that other members should be an MP from each of the UK's three major political parties (but none tainted by any degree of association with the China Traders' lobby or linked financial interests in the UK, and preferably men with experience of police, civil liberties and colonial matters); that its members include any other persons whose wisdom, experience, impartiality, and ability and willingness to search for hard truth will assist it to find and record that truth; that the commission should have no members drawn from Hongkong Government or society.
I have recommended that the commission should take evidence in both public (that truth may be seen to be sought after) and in private (that the innocent may be protected and that truth will have greater chance to be put forward), and that it should sit in Hongkong and London; that in its procedures it should subpoena each and every police officer, for example, so that those who would voluntarily attend cannot be identified and will therefore be less liable to fear of ostracism; that the commission should not be punitive (for officers who have acquiesced in the conspiracy may hesite to admit that they have done so, and there will be a danger that corrupt ficers will plant red-herrings and from malice and fear falsely ac e honest officers); and that the commission should offer to put right any case where the complainant can produce cvidence of either concrete or deductive nature which throws a reasonable doubt upon any alleged 11-treatment he may have suffered through the existence of a aft conspiracy.
1
Please let me say that your firmne: on maintaining the principle that adequate evidence must be produced which will satisfy a Court of law is commendable, because it ensures the protection of the innocent. It is not my aim that there should be a ruthless witch-hunt in an atmosphere of hysteria where an accusation is enough to destroy any official. I have never been for that and I am not now, although the British Government has many times made it clear that this protective principle applies only to serving officers and not to me. My aim is as it has always been, to supply sufficient evidence showing that an inquiry is necessary, so that the inquiry can recognise the existence of the conspiracy, formulate means to combat it, and once and for all prove to any conspirators that however subtle their methods of intimidation may be an inspector in service of the Crown has in fact more power than a station bootblack and his keepers whoever they may be.
Please let me know if I can assist you at any time.
Yours sincerely
Сей
ALAN ELLIS
نارا
cc Mr Michael Macoun, Inspector-General of Colonial Police