TNAG-0489-FCO40-554-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-Hong-Kong-police-an-1974 — Page 86

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R GESTRY No. 51 4 FEB 1974.

NICK14/3

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CONFIDENTIAL

Alear Andrew,

Mrs. Elliott's Letter

37

вых

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Miss Kelly

den

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COLONIAL SECRETARIAT. HONG KONG,

29 January 1974

Thank you for your letter of the 22nd January, 1974 enclosing copies of correspondence between you and Mrs. Elliott.

This is an old case of Mrs. Elliott's which was investigated some years ago but which could not be taken to court, because of lack of admissible evidence.

4/2

It has so far proved impossible to persuade Mrs. Elliott that the fact that she saw money passed between a minibus driver and a small group of youths does not of itself prove that the money was being passed for some corrupt purpose and that other evidence of this is essential.

I notice that in the last but one paragraph of Mrs. Elliott's letter I am quoted as having said, in relation to another corruption case, "that's how things are in Hong Kong". She has, of course, taken this out of context.

What I was referring to was the legal system in Hong Kong, which demands first hand evidence. I was trying to explain that hearsay evidence was insufficient.

I cannot see that anything is likely to come out of a reexamination of this particular allegation after four years. Nevertheless I will pass her letter on to the Commission Against Corruption, for them to take such action as they think appropriate on it.

ever,

(D.T.E. Koberts)

Colonial secretary

A.C. Stuart Esq., QPM,

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department,

Foreign and Commonwealth Office,

London S.W.1.

CONFIDENTIAL