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which is adduced so that they will have faith in the 'credibility of the
Commission' and will be satisfied that it is doing its job thoroughly
and independently.
The Commission of Inquiry was set up to produce a report after
consideration of all the evidence. It is not necessary for the public
to view the spectacle only the results. Many tribunals (such as the,
presently convened, Insider Dealing Tribunal) are required by their
enabling legislation to hold all hearings in camera and only publish
their reports. It is the function of the Report to allay the "grave
public disquiet". It should be noted that the Commissioner has indicated
that on the evidence heard already he has formed a view on the questions
of MacLennan's sexuality and cause of death.
From the questions that Counsel involved are being asked by
members of the public, it would appear that most people have been completely lost in the complexities of the proceedings (e. g. many
people still seem to think that MacLennan must have been murdered).
There are almost daily complaints by Counsel about mis-reporting of
the proceedings by the press (despite the presence of reporters every
day at the hearings). The Chinese press and the overseas press appear to have lost interest in the proceedings.
The English-reading
public are receiving the sensational accusations (e.g. "MacLennan
'boyfriend' lashes out at other witnesses", "Bisexual spars with
Seagroatt", "Henry listed in special file"", "Triads could have framed
MacLennan, says lawyer", "Prostitute gets his dates mixed").
5.
Available
Options:
The most obvious option
allow matters to take their course.
have been canvassed. The
ގ
of course, is to do nothing and
The arguments for and against this
alternative'is for the Governor in Council
to act under Section 3(c) of the Ordinance. It provides: "The Governor in
Council
•
may direct:
•
(c) what matters should be outside the
terms of reference of the Commission". Directions could, for example, be given that the allegations of homosexuality against the CP, or, the
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