CONFIDENTIAL
Bribery Ordinance which gives an absolute discretion to the Attorney- General over prosecutions under the Ordinance and a discretion to the Governor over policy. The Governor would also appear to have the right of amnesty under Section 15 of the Letters Patent which say, inter alia, "When any crime or offence has been committed within the Colony, or for which the offender may be tried therein, the Governor may, as he shall see occasion, in Our name and on Our behalf... grant to any offender convicted of any crime or offence subject to such conditions as the Governor may think fit to impose a pardon or any remission of the sentence".
7.
...
This affair is now attracting a certain amount of interest in the British press and News Department will certainly be asked for comments. I have just spoken again to Hong Kong and have been told that, despite reports in the British press, the Governor's decision has been greeted favourably by the bulk of public opinion in Hong Kong. It is regrettable that the Governor did not consult us before taking the action described in paragraph 4 above. However, he had the right to take such action on his own authority and it was only he who was competent to assess the relative strength of local opinion and feeling within the Police Force. Any indication now that the Secretary of State has less than complete confidence in the Governor would make the situation between the Police and the public in Hong Kong much worse than it is. I recommend that News Department be authorized to say that the British Government supports the actions of the Governor and the Commissioner of Police, in who the Secretary of State has complete confidence.
cc:
7 November 1977
PS/PUS
Mr Cortazzi
Mr Stratton
Mr Macoun
Mr Stephen
Mr Attewell (News Dept)
CON FIBE
CONFIDENTIAL
заряжко
JAB Stewart
Hong Kong & General Dept
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