SEM
Lord Caillmen agress
you
Sraft.
recommandation and the
RESTRICTED
Covering SECRETS
20
с
From: J W Guy
A TUJI
South East Asia Dept
Date: April 1991
P/PUS
STAY
Sir John Coles
Ian Russ
API / Lord Caithnele
RECEN
2411
M
Bunns
3. APK 71
Whe to
INDEX m Cabin
PÁ
REGISTRY Action Take
disc es
J727/4
Hong Kong Dept
Parker, Legal Advisers Security Dept
PS/Sir Robin Butler
22/4 My Colvin
Mr Butas
Sir Arthur Watts
minuts below Ap.291
PS/Lord Caithness
25%
25/4
LORRAIN OSMAN: ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION BY FCO OFFICIALS
Problem
He
A 1. Mr Kevin Cahill, a journalist, has written to Sir Arthur Watts
alleging corrupt action by FCO officials handling papers relating to the request from the Hong Kong authorities to extradite Lorrain
Osman from the United Kingdom to face fraud and other charges.
wrote similar letters to Sir Robin Butler and to Ms Rita Fan, a
member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council. He bases his allegations on a confidential telegram (Hong Kong telno 2874 of 1985 in FCO) the contents of which could become public knowledge through Cahill's actions. Should we take legal action to stop him?
B C
D
Recommendation
2. I recommend against any legal action to prevent Cahill using the official document in his possession; that we should instead reply to Mr Cahill rejecting his allegations. Legal Advisers, Hong Kong
Department and Treasury Solicitors agree. Sir Robin Butler is
DDODDTANDA
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