IMCDIATE
CYPHER/CAT A
GRS 850
FM HONG KONG 2605327
DEDIP
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
280CT1974/
NKKIY
J
281
TOP COPY
250)
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Ir Dingridde
ра
28/10
have spoke to Mr Hoble to see then PIA
Hie
TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELNO 1064 OF 26 OCTOBER. 1974
247) (259)
YOUR TELNOS. 915 AND 917: GODBER.
1. WE HAVE NOW HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER MRS. GODBER'S
AFFIDAVIT FURTHER. IT IS A SCURRILOUS DOCUMENT NOT ONLY IN THE
WAY THAT IT PRESENTS THE ALLEGED DEAL BETWEEN PRENDERGAST AND BUT ALSO IN THE ALLEGATION THAT PRENDERGAST WOULD QUOTE STOP AT NOTHING UNQUOTE TO GET GODBER BACK TO HONG KONG AND THAT HE HAD
TALKED WITH BOTH
AND CHENG FOR THE PURPOSE OF QUOTE FIXING
UNQUOTE GODBER. THERE IS ALSO THE FURTHER OBSERVATION THAT PRENDERGAST IS OUT TO MAKE A NAME FOR HIMSELF. ALL THIS DOES
IMPLY IMPROPRIETY.
2. I CAN UNDERSTAND TO SOME EXTENT THAT SCRIVENER AND HIS
INSTRUCTING SOLICITOR MAY HAVE THOUGHT THEMSELVES IN SOME
DIFFICULTY WHEN THIS INFORMATION CAME INTO THEIR POSSESSION.
IT IS AS YOU HAVE POINTED OUT ESSENTIALLY HEARSAY SO THAT THEY
CANNOT JUST GO AHEAD AND TENDER IT IN EVIDENCE ON GODBER'S BEHALF. HOWEVER, WE SIMPLY CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS THAT SCRIVENER OR HIS INSTRUCTING SOLICITOR CANNOT APPROACH FRENCH
WITH A VIEW TO HAVING THE MATTER INVESTIGATED. THIS IS WHAT ONE WOULD NORMALLY EXPECT IN A MATTER OF SUCH GRAVITY.
13. BUT QUITE APART FROM THAT WE JUST CANNOT ACCEPT THAT WE MUST
REFRAIN FROM INFORMING FRENCH OF THE ALLEGATIONS. HE HAS NOW BEEN
GIVEN THE TRUE FACTS OF THE MATTER BUT IT SEEMS TO US NOTHING
SHORT OF MISLEADING IF HE IS NOT ALSO TOLD OF THE VERY DIFFERENT
VERSION WHICH HAS BEEN PUT IN THE HANDS OF THE DEFENSE IN THE
FORM OF AN AFFIDAVIT. AND IT MUST BE REMEMBERED THAT THE ALLEGATIONS
A) HAVE BEEN PUT FORWARD BY A POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS AT ONE
TIME CONCERNED IN THE INVESTIGATION AND WHO IS A PROSECUTION WITNESS: (B) CONCERN THE CONDUCT OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
OFFICER WHO WAS IN CHARGE AT THE MATERIAL TIME OF THE INVESTIGATION.
CONFIDENTIAL
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