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"The Chief Justice was gravely concerned and commenced an inquiry into the matter on August 22 which he directed me to pursue after he left Hong Kong on August 23 to attend the Commonwealth Law Conference in Vancouver.
"I have conducted a comprehensive inquiry into this matter and I am satisfied that no judge or judges have ever brought any pressure to bear upon Judge Caird in relation to the Nattrass case or any other matter.
"As can be seen from Judge Caird's statement set out above he now accepts that this is so. Disquiet may, however, remain in the public mind as to the complaints made to Mr McWalters and Mr Reading. This must be dispelled.
"Judge Caird says that his statements to Crown Counsel were made at a time when, because of the length and complexity of the trial and his concern with the health of the defendant, he felt himself to be under acute pressure which resulted in persistent insomnia over a number of weeks.
"He states that as a result of this on the weekend of August 17 and 18 purely social conversations became magnified in his mind and assumed a significance which they did not have. He acknowledges that any complaints of pressure were unfounded and should never have been made.
"This morning Judge Caird has removed himself from the Nattrass prosecution stating: 'I have been concerned about my health. As a consequence I sought medical advice and am continuing to do so. I am unable to continue with this hearing and can only add that I believe it would not be in the interests of either the Crown or the defence, i.e. the applicant, for me to continue as I cannot be confident of ensuring a fair trial. Accordingly, I shall not continue for health reasons and disqualify myself for the reasons given.'
"Judge Caird is presently on sick leave and is receiving medical attention. He will only resume duty when I am satisfied that he has fully recovered."
End