TNAG-0492-FCO40-557-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-Hong-Kong-police-an-1974 — Page 60

CONFIDENTIAL

A. R. Rushford, Esq., C.M.G., O.B.E., Foreign and Commonwealth Office,

Legal Division,

Downing Street,

LONDON, S.W.1A, 2AL.

Dear

A.

RUSHFORD

25.11.

286

ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CHAMBERS

HONG KONG

18th November, 1974.

268

P.F. GODBER.

Thank you very much for your letter of 8th November about the possibility of a civil action against Godber. In fact we considered this at some length earlier this year in the light of the cases you mention. We do

not rule out the possibility of such an action but see difficulty in the way of establishing, even for the purpose of civil proceedings, that the wealth which Godber accu- mulated came from bribes. There would obviously be a pretty strong presumption and we think we might be able

to get an action on its feet. However, we have put this on one side for the time being and propose to leave matters that way.

In the meantime, I agree that we should seek an opinion from French. Do you think that Russells have enough material already on which to seek his opinion? If you do not, I shall get someone to prepare the necessary material.

CONFIDENTIAL

155

John.

(J.W.D. Hobley) Attorney General.

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