TNAG-0408-FCO40-454-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-the-Hong-Kong-polic-1973 — Page 152

+

5/

As further example of the problems involved I would like to brief you on the 1966 conspiracy by some criminal elements in the Force three British CID officers to frame Mrs Elsie Elliott with a false charge of inciting rioters. Their activities to suborn a witness appearing at the Hogan Tribunal, a known police informer and most assuredly an agent provocateur in the 1966 disturbances, came to the attention of a fourth officer, a man whose integrity I would not question. He advised me of the subornation attempt (the records of which you will find in an internal investigation conducted by then Director of CID T.E.Clunie in 1966, the point of which investigation was not to establish the truth of the allegations but the identity of the officer who advised of the conspiracy). He was of course unable to support his allegations - he was a single witness and he was very aware of the varied consequences were he to identify himself. This left only my hearsay. That officer still has his knowledge and it is possible, if Mrs Elliott has approached you as I suggested she might and the procedure I suggested to her is followed (that s she names and imine identified may bu may save his own might be able to necesarily likel;

•

make her allegation and you summon the officer sely confront him), so that the conspirator in the belief that by telling the truth he (having in mind the current climate) that I uade the witness to step forward. It is not at the conspirator I have in mind will easily

confess but with Le knowledge that in trouble on another matter, and might if offe Evidence on the 1966 matter to reduce his lial charge, the second conspirator, more of a har instigator as I understand it, might come c Hunt can then be leaned on, and if my friend will be led to the third conspirator and he involved in the corruption conspiracy.

י.

is already turn Queen's y on the present on than an

f he does, if ds forward, you pect is much

I have gone on at some length and I hope you 1 forgive me for My purpose is to indicate to you just how difficult it is honest officers to actually exhibit the trust in you know they must have, and that the answer to the problem of organised graft will be found not purely by such means as the leadership shown by an honest Commissioner but more by an external inquiry which might have not only the confidence of your officers but also the advantage that in receiving evidence it will not be in character an employer, as you and the Hongkong Government are.

On 31st July I recommended to James Johnson MP what I feel is the answer to the problem of the graft conspiracy and I believe he has taken these recommendations into account in his representations to the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The points I make here I have also made in a letter to the HONGKONG STAR, arising from its leader of 14th August which appeared to advocate a witch-hunt ("11 officers, why not 1,100"?), in which letter I pointed out your own positive role in the anti-corruption struggle.

I have recommended that a judicial inquiry be appointed with wide terms of reference to examine the nature and extent of organised corruption and maladministration in Hongkong; that it be presided over by a man of unquestionable personal integrity and reputation (ideally Lord Devlin whose 1958 report on the police-alleged "massacre plot" in Nyasaland was shattering by its obvious concern to record truth); that the commission's members include officers of wido polico experience both in the colonies and the UK (perhaps Mr

1.

This is

what

Mi Than

said &

Mohmary