TNAG-0492-FCO40-557-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-Hong-Kong-police-an-1974 — Page 120

CONFIDENTIAL

6. ONE CAN ONLY SURMISE WHAT WAS IN

MIND IN CAUSING THE APPROACH TO ICAC TO BE MADE, BUT IT MAY WELL HAVE APPEARED TO HIM TO BE AN INSURANCE AGAINST ANYTHING THAT MIGHT EMERGE AGAINST HIM WHILE HE WAS STILL IN HONG KKONG. BUT PRENDERGAST NEVER SUGGESTED OR IMPLIED TO HIM THAT THERE WERE ANY FURTHER CHARGES PENDING. IN

SHORT IT SEEMS CLEAR IT WAS

WHO MADE THE FIRST APPROACH AND

THAT FROM THE OUTSET HUNT WAS SEEKING IMMUNITY FROM FURTHER PROSECUTION RATHER THAN THE DROPPING OF A CURRENT CHARGE.

7. WHETHER THIS AMOUNTED TO A DEAL OR NOT IS OPEN TO ARGUMENT. PENLINGTON NEVER SAW IT IN THAT LIGHT, BUT NOW AGREES THAT HE SHOULD HAVE EXPLAINED THE CIRCUMSTANCES TO FRENCH. HE HAS NOW DONE

SO.

MACLEHOSE

FILES HKIOD (4)

SIR D WATSON

MR MALE

MR RUSHFORD

(LEGAL ADVISERS)

3.

CONFIDENTIAL

Page 120Page 121