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Two problems arise from the possible amendment to the Fugitive Offenders Act solution. Firstly, the amendment would doubtless have to pass all stages of Reading in Parliament and this would doubtless receive the usual publicity. Godber reads the British newspapers and his friends are doubtless keeping him in touch with ideas for his return which are published in Hongkong newspapers. There is an obvious danger that he might realise that strong and particular steps are being taken to secure his extradition from the UK and he might therefore depart from here in a hurry. Were he to leave the UK (where he appears at present to be settling down confidently and comfortably) from fear and go, for example, to South America, the British Government might never be able to arrange his extradition. The second problem is this: British public opinion is extremely illogical. If retrospective legislation tailor-made for one man were to be recommended by the Minister, whose responsibility such a decision would be, and agreed by Parliament, then there is a danger that overnight Godber would be turned from a knave into a hero. This was certainly the case, with wobld opinion, when the Israelis kidnapped Adolf Eichman in the early 1960s. Obviously they went beyond the rules but even legitimate legislation within the rules might have the same effect on world opinion.
thcoming (for there will be
if such legislation is re to be consulted, all of
evasion device is not a
loophole in Hongkong law), e successful detective
evidence to support a the existing laws of
If such retrospective legislation is not legal implications affecting other cour created and no doubt those countries wi. which takes time), and because the incom valid one (Godber is protected here by an then it could be that the only solution wi. work by the Hongkong Police in finding conc. specific charge on which to return Godber w extradition. There are obvious problems here. have found no such evidence. It is doubtful tha because the criminals paying Godber are as keen that he should not be questioned and testify as are those of his colleagues who are doubtless praying that he will not be returned in case he turns Queen's Evidence against their interests in an attempt to reduce his own liability. How- ever, I feel that this may be not only the best but the only practical solution because it will have about it the advantages of speed and some secrecy once the evidence is obtained.
22 months the police they will ever find it
Possibly the FCO are considering another means of getting Godber back, which for their own security reasons they are not divulging at this stage. Whatever they are doing I am sure their intention is that Godber should be extradited. You will no doubt appreciate that Godber has shamed the UK and no Government could afford to be seen even appearing to protect him, long. term. After all, the British Government does not know what else may be exposed, and soon.
Intentions cannot always be put into effect, however, and it would be very childish of all of us not to recognise this fact. The Government must above all be seen to obey the law, otherwise there' would be no protection for the innocent and, as I explain above, must consider all the implications. It is an established principle of British law enforcement that it is better that a guilty man goes free rather than that an innocent man is punished. In the context of Henglong's problems I know you will find that as difficult a principle to accept the genuineness of as do I, in the present case. Is could be this all of us may eventually have to accept that wombe Latisfist with Geiber's perverted. ontribution to the anti-corruption care. Looking back over 10 years' experience of this cause I can o owe you tub Qolb moje fol Jhat cause bhɛn all the efforts Suvot Life, public champions such as M.5 W
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