COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE DEATH OF THE LATE INSPECTOR JOHN MACLENNAN
Ruling by The Commissioner on the Cross-Examination of Mr. Henry
Annex E
During the course of this Inquiry, frequent reference
has been made to the suggestion that the Commissioner of Police,
Mr. Roy Henry, may be, or has been, a practising homosexual. I
have repeatedly indicated that, unless there is successful arguement
to the contrary, or new factors arise, I take the issue as to whether,
or not, Mr. Henry, is, or has been, a homosexual, practising or
otherwise, to be irrelevant to the Terms of Reference..
To date, no
one has addressed to me submissions designed to cause me to change
that view and no factors have arisen which cause me to do so.
Leading Counsel to the Commission has, however, invited
my attention to the possibility that it may be relevant to ask
Mr. Henry questions about matters connected with his homosexuality,
during the course of the Commission's inquiry into his motives in
advising at the time of what is known as the Yuen Long incident
that Inspector MacLennan's contract of service with the Royal Hong
Kong Police Force be terminated.
Having given the most anxious and careful consideration to
Counsel's submissions, I am satisfied that it would be wrong for me
to stop cross-examination of Mr. Henry properly directed to the
specific purpose contemplated, assuming the necessary material to be
available to Counsel and assuming that Counsel seeking to cross-
examine Mr. Henry have the locus standi to do so.
Fa. zang
T.L. Yang 16.3.1931