TNAG-0551-FCO40-646-Allegations-of-corruption-and-bribery-in-Hong-Kong-police-an-1975 — Page 19

CONFIDENTIAL

4. The progress made by the ICAC is being carefully monitored by critics of the Hong Kong Government and there is still some pressure for HMG to appoint a Royal Commission from the UK.

and Ellis

>

5. Notes for possible supplementaries on the

allegations have been provided.

who had

already served a one year sentence for corruption, testified at the Godber trial in February having been given an undertaking that he would be allowed to leave the Colony thereafter (see the reply to Mr Newens' Question on 22 July at Flag A). Mr Ellis has for many years pursued a vendetta against the Hong Kong Police Force following his dismissal from the Force in 1963 on the grounds of temperamental unsuitability. His allegations that he was really dismissed because of his opposition to corruption in the Force have been thoroughly and repeatedly investigated but no

evidence has been found to substantiate his claim. A further letter from him on the subject, forwarded by Sir Anthony Royle, is under consideration by the ICAC in Hong Kong.

6. It is possible, but very unlikely, that Mr Godman Irvine may ask about Godber's treatment in prison. MrGodman Irvine recently wrote to Mr Ennals enclosing a letter from Mrs Godber

asking if her husband could be allowed to write more than two letters a month and if he could be transferred to an English prison. The Department, on advice from Hong Kong, have proposed a reply from Lord Goronwy Roberts indicating that under Hong Kong prison rules Godber is entitled to write three letters a month

and that there are no grounds for removing him to Britain. would be difficult to defend his being given any treatment different from that of other prisoners and there are no legal grounds for transferring him to this country.

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department

31 July 1975

It

CONFIDENTIAL