HKD 373
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CONFIDENTIAL STAFF-IN-CONFIDENCE
104430
MDLIAN 8896
CONFIDENTIAL
STAFF-IN-CONFIDENCE
FM HONG KONG
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELNO 4866
OF 21134OZ DECEMBER 87
PERSONAL FOR PAUK
HKD, FROM GOVERNOR
(87)
YOUR TELNO 3318
1
•
JUSTICE BARKER
I HAVE DISCUSSED LORD BENSON'S LETTER AGAIN WITH THE CHIEF JUSTICE, WHO IS NOW CONVALESCING AT HOME. MIFT CONTAINS THE TEXT OF A LETTER THAT HE HANDED TO ME.
2. I HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY ASKED FOR A MEDICAL REPORT ON MR JUSTICE BARKER'S HEALTH, AND IN PARTICULAR ON THE EXTENT TO WHICH IT HAS BEEN IMPAIRED BY ALCOHOL, AND ALSO FOR ONE ON HIS WIFE (WHO IS SUFFERING FROM CANCER). IF HIS WIFE IS NEAR TO DEATH, THERE MAY BE GOOD COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS FOR DELAYING ANY FURTHER ACTION.
I FEAR THAT SHE IS RECOVERING, OR IN A REASONABLE STABLE CONDITION, I HER HEALTH CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO BE A MAJOR FACTOR IN OUR CONSIDERATION OF THE CASE.
3.
IF
I PROPOSE TO DISCUSS THE MATTER FURTHER WITH THE CJ WHEN I HAVE RECEIVED THE MEDICAL REPORTS. MEANWHILE THE CONTENT OF THIS TELEGRAM AND MIFT MUST BE STRICTLY FOR YOUR OWN OR, IF YOU JUDGE IT NECESSARY, MINISTERS' INFORMATION.
WILSON
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