TNAG-0408-FCO40-454-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-the-Hong-Kong-polic-1973 — Page 124

HKK 14/17

Mr Champion (G & GD)

CONFIDENTIAL

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176

CORRUPTION IN HONG KONG POLICE FORCE

1.

The Governor has written to me to say that when he is in London next week he would like to discuss a further matter connected with corruption in the Hong Kong Police, arising out of the Godber case. He says:

2.

"Our problem is the difficulty of legal proof sufficient for a court of law. We would therefore like to consider amending the conditions of service of the police and others in the public service to provide for the possibility of terminating someone's employment at the queen's pleasure, for reasons good enough to satisfy the Secretary of State. I have in mind in particular evidence of corruption obtained from e.g. telephone tapping or other clandestine means. In such cases pension rights would not be affected, nor would there be any slur on a man's official record but we could get rid of him."

I should be grateful if you, Mr Macoun and Mr Rushford, together with anyone else you think should be consulted, could attend a meeting to discuss this with the Governor. I hope that 3.30 p.m. on Thursday 13 September would be convenient to all concerned. The meeting would probably be in Mr Stuart's room.

7 September 1973

Cc:

Mr Wilford Mr Larmour Mr Rushford Mr Macoun

CONFIDENTIAL

R B Crowson

Hong Kong and Indian Ocean Department

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