TNAG-0406-FCO40-452-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-the-Hong-Kong-polic-1973 — Page 75

CONFIDENTIAL

GODBER TO LEAVE HONG KONG BY ANY POSITIVE ACT.

'ALL THE EVIDENCE INDICATES THAT HE DID NOT SEEK, NOR WAS

HE GIVEN, NOR DID HE NEED, ANY ACTIVE ASSISTANCE,'' SIR ALASTAIR

SAID.

HE ADDED THAT HE WAS ''TOTALLY UNABLE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE

VIEW'' THAT GODBER WAS ASSISTED, IN A NEGATIVE WAY, BY A

PLANNED FAILURE OF THE AUTHORITIES TO TAKE MEASURES WHICH PERHAPS,

IN RETROSPECT, COULD OR SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN.

''NEVER FOR A MOMENT DURING THIS ENQUIRY DID I HAVE ANY REASON

TO DOUBT THE HONESTY AND INTEGRITY OF THE SENIOR OFFICERS

INVOLVED IN THIS CASE,'' SIR ALASTAIR SAID. "THERE IS NO DOUBT

WHATSOEVER IN MY MIND THAT THE INTENTION WAS TO ARREST

CODBER AND BRING HIM BEFORE THE COURT BEFORE THE END OF JUNE.

FCO PASS TO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON.

MACLEHOSE

FILES:

HKIOD

LEGAL ADVISERS

NEWS D

OPA

PARLIAMENTARY UNIT

FE/MR. ROYLE

SIR D. WATSON

SIR E. NORRIS

COPIES TO:

HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE

- 4

-

CONFIDENTIAL

Page 75Page 76