TNAG-0494-FCO40-559-Establishment-of-Anti-Corruption-Commission-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 35

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...CLIVED RISTRY No.52 12 SEP 1974

NEW SCOTLAND YARD BROADWAY, LONDON, SW1H OBG

| RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NA 71 VOYER 1974

п.

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OPA to see 1. Maleting S=D.

PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL

A.C. Stuart Esq.,

Foreign & Commonwealth Office,

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department,

King Charles Street,

LONDON SW1A 2AH.

LAST

REF.

(85) 4 (89)

9th September, 1974

9/9

Dear Mr. Stuart,

NEXT

REF.

Further to your letters of 4th and 6th September and our discussions on the telephone about Howell, we here are completely baffled over his behaviour and this includes those who have worked intimately with him over a period of time. Naturally we much regret any embarrassment to the FCO or the Governor.

As I explained on the telephone Woods has conferred with Slevin and his deputy about the amended press statement. I entirely agree with what we propose to say. I also agree that it would be most unwise to delay this issue until such time as it had lost credibility.

Howell will see the Chief Medical Officer on Tuesday morning (10th), but as I explained to you it is almost inevitable that the CMO will seek psychiatric opinion before making a diagnosis and this will take a little time.

We are most grateful for the understanding that has been shown by all concerned

in this unfortunate affair.

Yours sincerely,

Acting Commissioner