001=
Mr Youde
PS Mr
Royle
CONFIDENTIAL
A.R.
HK+1OD
(220) ૩૦
Flag
320/€
CALL BY MR JOHN FRENDERGAST, THURSDAY 8 NOVEMBER AT 3.30 PM
1. Mr Royle said that he would like an opportunity of meeting Mr Prendergast before the latter leaves for Hong Kong to take up his appointment as Director of Operations of the new Anti- Corruption Commission. Mr Frendergast, who is in London this week, will call on Mr Royle at 3.30 pm on Thursday.
BACKGROUND
A
2.
When the Governor was here in September he discussed with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Robert Mark, the possibility of an appointment or appointments from a UK Police Force to help man the Operations Unit of the new Commission. possible candidate suggested by Sir Robert was later interviewed by Mr Macoun, the Hong Kong Commissioner of Police designate, and Mr Prendergast, but was found to be unsuitable.
3. Sir Robert then told me he was worried that any person who was eventually appointed might be subjected to overriding control by the Hong Kong Police. To protect the reputation of his Force and of any candidates which he might put forward, he wondered whether to suggest a short visit to Hong Kong by Mr Anning, one of his top advisers. His idea was that Mr Anning could satisfy himself both that a secondee would be properly used, and also perhaps help the Hong Kong Government to decide the sort of man they wanted. Sir Robert also stressed the need to work through the Home Office if umbrage was to be avoided.
4.
We put the idea of a visit by Mr Anning to the Governor. His reaction was that it would be welcome but premature, since there would be nothing to see before the Unit became operational in January. It was agreed, however, that Mr Prendergast should see Mr Anning and the Home Office during his present visit to reassure them that any UK policemen sent to Hong Kong would be properly used. He will be doing so this week. His own view is that there is no hurry about such an appointment since he is not yet himself sure what sort of a man is needed. I have, however, pointed out the political need for the Governor to be seen to take prompt action.
5.
Mr Prendergast's appointment has received very favourable publicity in the Hong Kong press. But an article in the Guardian of 6 November expresses surprise at his appointment in view of the fact that he is an experienced counter-intelligence and counter-subversion expert, but not an expert in anti-corruption.
/The
CONFIDENTIAL