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LIAL
6. Now your Government seems to be questioning the line we took on the advice of the Attorney-General of England as conveyed to you in our telegram No 937 of 30 October and to be persisting in a desire to have Irvine interrogated although French has advised against this
course.
7. We all share and sympathise with your anxiety that Godber should be brought to book, and can understand your consternation about Irvine's behaviour.
8. What we do not relish is the tone of, and attitudes revealed by, the recent telegrams from Hong Kong in a context where the responsibility for such mistakes as have been made in this matter seem to lie squarely with officers of the Hong Kong Government.
9. Any of us is liable to make mistakes and I am conscious of having made many throughout my career. I am not soliciting any kind of an apology nor do I see why anyone should wear a white sheet. Nevertheless I am concerned that you should be aware of the impressions we have received.
10. You need not show this letter to anyone else unless you wish to do
If however you wish to show it to the Governor or to Denys Roberts, we have no objection. It has been seen and approved by Duncan Watson.
80.
With won furonal regards
Evor yours
Antony Rushford
A R Rushford
Deputy Legal Adviser
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
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