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weight of his office" for personal motives. (Incidentally, the se
allegations, but not Burns denials, were duly reported in the
media). At the conclusion of Burns' evidence application was
made for Ray Astin, the AAG, to be called to give evidence
on the matter as he was present before and during the call and
could cast light on the justification behind it and circumstances
of it. Beveridge, QC objected ("too much disruption to the
witness list to interpose Astin now"). The Commissioner upheld
him despite the vociferous objection of the AG's Counsel who was
supported by various "Police" Counsel. Prior to that episode
an Inspector McDaid had been called to give evidence solely
relevant to the credibility of Fulton (who was to give indirect
evidence on motivation of the SIU). Recently a relatively
senior Police Officer suggested McDaid was disloyal to the
Police. Beveridge, QC immediately recalled McDaid to answer
the allegation. More recently a SIU witness suggested McDaid
could not be believed because he was either homosexual or
a homosexual sympathiser (this witness also volunteered the
suggestion that Fulton considered Yang J. might be homosexual -
a suggestion apparently made in a jocular context so that his
accusation against McDaid need not have been taken seriously).
Beveridge QC immediately had McDaid recalled to rebuff this
new challenge. He also had the hearing briefly adjourned to
arrange Counsel for McDaid a matter to which Beveridge
personally attended. The AG's Counsel are still waiting to hear when they will be permitted to call Astin.
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