Lust Puy Seed
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RECEIVED #SAVARY N. 51
30 SFF 198ONFIDENTIAL
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
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PA ८.६.९.
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36 72 Pas 30/1
THE MACLENNAN INQUIRY
.கின
320/9
224
1. The Lord Privy Seal should be aware that the Report of the
Commission of Inquiry into the death of Hong Kong Police Inspector
MacLennan will be published in Hong Kong tomorrow. Briefly, the
background to this is that MacLennan committed suicide the morning
he was to be arrested for homosexual offences. There were however
public allegations that he had been murdered to prevent his
disclosure of the names of senior civil servants in Hong Kong who
were also homosexual. Eventually the Governor decided to clear the
air by appointing a senior judge to investigate MacLennan's death
and the events surrounding it. A note on the case and the
Commission's conclusions is attached. The department has a copy
of the Report itself.
2. There has been some parliamentary and public interest in this
affair. This may now be renewed, particularly as the Report is
sharply critical of Mrs E Elliott, a Hong Kong Urban Councillor and
leading figure in the allegations, who has friends in both Houses
of Parliament.
3. The Hong Kong Government have told us how they intend to respond
to press enquiries Hong Kong telegrams Nos 1706 and 1707.
However, we should say no more than that this is a matter for the
Hong Kong Government if we are asked about the Report.
28 September 1981
cc Mr Donald
News Department Legal Advisers
Bip
R D Clift
Hong Kong and General Department
CONFIDENTIAL