5.
Statement on briefing out of BMFL case
The Legal Department wishes to clarify statements made by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Peter Nguyen, at his meeting with the Legislative Council Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services yesterday (January 5).
When discussing the role of the head of Commercial Crime Unit at the time counsel's fees were paid in respect of the Bumiputra Malaysia Finance Ltd (BMFL) case, the Director of Public Prosecutions did not identify any particular occupant of the post or suggest that the head of that unit had in any way failed to act properly.
Nor did the Director of Public Prosecutions suggest that there were in fact any defects in any of the monitoring procedures.
He was talking in hypothetical terms as all the facts surrounding this matter have not been fully investigated.
The department is continuing to investigate all the facts of the matters and will submit a report to the LegCo panel as soon as possible.
End/Friday, January 6, 1995
Statement on execution of Hong Kong woman
In response to the execution of Ms Angel Mou Pui-peng in Singapore today (Friday), the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, said:
"As has happened in previous cases involving Hong Kong residents, the United Kingdom supported a plea for clemency put forward by the European Union on Ms Mou's behalf. The Hong Kong Government fully supported and associated itself with that plea.
"We have abolished the death penalty in Hong Kong. I believe it was wholly right to have done so. I profoundly regret the use of the death penalty anywhere. I extend my deep sympathy and condolences to the family of Ms Mou."
End/Friday, January 6, 1995