TNAG-0406-FCO40-452-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-the-Hong-Kong-polic-1973 — Page 37

to Mrs. LLOYD's statement of 18th June there was a letter written by Mrs. GODBER to Mr. and Mrs. LLOYD begin- ning "My dear Lindy and David” (a copy of this letter is attached marked "G"). It appears that this letter was written from Sussex on Saturday 11th June. Also, just after midnight on the night of 11th/12th June, Mr. LLOYD informed Mr. MORRIN by telephone that he had received a cable apparently from Mr. GODBER in Rye, Sussex. It read: "Request you supervise all personal effects at my quarter. Letter following. Peter GODBER".

The letter arrived in due course. It was apparently written from Rye Sussex; and it is dated 10th June 1973. It begins "My dear David" and is signed "Peter". A typed transcription of the letter is attached and marked “H”.

Mr. and Mrs. LLOYD were closely questioned by the Commission. It appears that about 9 p.m. on Wednesday 6th June they called on the GODBERS, returning home some time after midnight. According to the LLOYDS, GODBER drank a considerable quantity of wine, condemned the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance as being "against natural justice" and "an invasion of privacy", and said that his counsel should "use his case to challenge the validity of the Ordinance".

It appears from Mr. LLOYD's evidence that, in the course of the evening, GODBER insisted that his wife should leave Hong Kong at once because "it was unfair to her to put her through the degradation of his trial and expose her to the contempt of neighbours". The GODBERS were in process of packing up the contents of their flat at this time preparatory to retirement; and GODBER asked Mrs. LLOYD if she would "supervise the packers" as he expected "to be charged with little likelihood of bail”.

According to the LLOYDS' evidence, Mrs. GODBER called at the LLOYDS' flat at 1.30 p.m. on 7th June; and she gave Mrs. LLOYD a key to her flat; and the two women then proceeded to Kai Tak by taxi.

GODBER called on the LLOYDS about 8.30 p.m. on the evening of 7th June. He said that the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance was “contrary to the Strasbourg agreement on human rights". He had instructed Mr. GUNSTON to write to the Attorney General requesting further time to prepare his representations; and the Attorney General had refused this request. Mr. LLOYD said that Mr. GODBER appeared to be bitter about this. He also said that GODBER was in a highly agitated and excitable mood; that he voiced his sorrow at sending his wife away; and, as he left the flat, he said something about packing a case and moving to a hotel. The LLOYDS said that GODBER gave them no indication that he intended to leave Hong Kong the following day.

As regards the letter addressed to GODBER by Mrs. GODBER which she enclosed in her letter to the LLOYDS written from Sussex (“G” attached) Mrs. LLOYD said that she returned this to Mrs. GODBER because GODBER was no longer in Hong Kong. She did not think it was her duty to consult her husband before doing so; nor, knowing that GODBER was a wanted man, did she think of handing it over to the police.

Mr. GUNSTON was Mr. GODBER's solicitor. In addition to being present at the search of the flat, he was supplied with copies of all relevant documents seized. He was consulted by Mr. GODBER on Wednesday 6th at 5 p.m. The interview lasted about 45 minutes. A consultation with Mr. SEDGWICK, of counsel, was arranged for the late afternoon of Thursday 7th June; and GODBER kept that appointment. He was with counsel for about 25 minutes.

Mr. GUNSTON said that no actual appointment was made for 8th June but that he had suggested to GODBER that he should telephone him on 8th June.

Mr. GUNSTON said that he communicated to GODBER the contents of the Attorney General's letter refusing further time, about 8.30 p.m. on Thursday 7th June. There was no further discussion about GODBER coming to consult him professionally.

The next communication he had from Mr. GODBER was a cable apparently despatched from Heathrow Airport, London on Saturday 9th June instructing him to tender his resignation from the service of the Hong Kong Government. On 11th June Mr. GUNSTON wrote to the Colonial Secretary as follows:-

"We are instructed by our above-mentioned client to inform you that he resigns from his service with the

Hong Kong Government."

Mr. GUNSTON said that during his discussions with Mr. GODBER he had intimated on 4th June that he intended to resign from the Police Force.

Mr. GUNSTON said that he received a letter from GODBER and a cheque for $7,200 dated 9th June 1973 drawn by GODBER on The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, Kowloon in favour of the Hong Kong Government; and that on 14th June he (Mr. GUNSTON) wrote to the Accountant General as follows:-

"On the instructions of our above-mentioned client, we enclose herewith a cheque no. 668402 drawn on the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation for $7,200 being one month's salary in lieu of notice in respect of his resignation from the service of the Hong Kong Government."

8