TNAG-0408-FCO40-454-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-the-Hong-Kong-polic-1973 — Page 116

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KNOW OF YOUR PROPOSALS REGARDING PRENDERGAST, AND THAT WHILE YOU CAN EXPECT CO-OPERATION FROM SLEVIN AND RICHARDSON ON PRENDERGAST APPOINTMENT, THERE IS AN INDICATION OF ANTAGONISM BETWEEN PRENDERGAST AND SUTCLIFFE DURING THEIR EAST AFRICAN DAYS. PRENDERGAST HAS A TENDENCY TO ABRASIVENESS AND SUTCLIFFE IS, AS YOU KNOW, UNDUL Y SENSITIVE. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ANY NEW ORGANISATION TO GET FULL POLICE CO-OPERATION: IN THE CASE OF THE THREE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN SEPARATED FROM THE POLICE (IMMIGRATION, HAWKER CONTROL AND THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT) THERE WAS A LACK OF LIAISON - AMMOUNTING ALMOST TO ACTIVE HOSTILITY BETWEEN THEM AND THE POLICE. I AM QUITE CONFIDENT THAT A SEPARATE ORGANISATION WILL GET CO-OPERATION FROM SLEVIN AND RICHARDSON, BUT I WOULD DOUBT WHETHER THAT CO- OPERATION WOULD BE CONTINUING WHILE SUTCLIFFE IS STILL IN CHARGE.

7. WHILE WE WILL DEAL WITH THE MATTER WITH UNACCUSTOMED SPEED,

IT WOULD BE UNWISE TO LET PRENDERGAST SUPPOSE THAT HE COULD RECEIVE A DEFINITE OFFER IN LESS THAN A COUPLE OF MONTHS IN VIEW OF THE MANY UNAVOIDABLE STEPS WHICH HAVE TO BE TAKEN BEFORE SUCH AN OFFER

COULD BE MADE TO HIM.

NORMAN-WALKER

FILES

HKIOD

OPA

LEGAL ADVISERS

MR WILFORD SIR D WATSON MR ROSE

COPIES TO:

HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE

6 GRAFTON STREET W 1

2

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