TNAG-0406-FCO40-452-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-the-Hong-Kong-polic-1973 — Page 112

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he would have fixed his permit to his left breast pocket. probably did not carry any hand baggage. The presence of hand

baggage might possibly have aroused the suspicion of the constable

at tho wost mate; but, according to the evidence, the absence of

such baggage would not arouse the suspicions of the air hostesses

checking the boarding passes. As I have said, everything points

to the fact that, in all probability, Godber was wearing his pass

and walked through the west gate and up the ramp which leads straight into the transit/departure lounge. He thereby evaded

Immigration Control, and was able to board the aircraft with all

the other passengers. Of course, this is all speculation as no

one saw him. But, having examined the airport facilities vory

carefully in company with the Airport Manager, Mr. K.R. Smith, I agree entirely with Superintendent ebb that the route which

I have described is the one which Godber most probably took.

There is no doubt that he arrived in Singapore on

flight S0631 at about 6.30 p.m. on 8th June; and Superintendent Webb's information is that he arrived at Heathrow Airport (London)

from Europe on 9th Junc, that is to say he probably never left

Singapore Airport, but purchased a ticket immediately on some

flight to, say, Paris, Rome, Zurich or Frankfurt, changed planes

there, and took an onward flight to London. The Hong Kong Police

have not yet been able to get the actual flight number of the plane on which he arrived at Heathrow.

Could more have been done to prevent Godber leaving Hong Kong?

There have been suggestions in certain newspapers, and other news media, that some person or persons deliberately

assisted Godber to leave Hong Kong? Remarks such as: "The

whole thing was fixed" have been heard during the past few

wooks. All I can say is that no evidence has been adduced in

support of those suggestions. I shall have something to say

presently about the unsatisfactory state of the law. I shall also

indicate that, looking at the matter in retrospect, I think that

more could have been done towards reducing Godber's opportunity

to leave Hong Kong. But, so far as the Commissioner of Police,

the Deputy Commissioner, the officers of the Anti-Corruption

Office, and the Attorney General and his assistant, are concerned,