TNAG-0679-FCO40-828-Allegations-of-corruption-and-bribery-in-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 7

BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER THE INQUEST THIS CASE ATTRACTED CONSIDERABLE

INTEREST, PARTICULARLY FROM LIU'S FORMER FRIENDS AND TEACHERS AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, MANY OF WHOM EXPRESSED THE OPINION

THAT HE WAS NOT THE TYPE OF PERSON TO COMMIT SUICIDE. IT WAS

SUGGESTED THAT THE POLICE INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE INCIDENT WERE

NOT THOROUGH, THAT THE DEATH MIGHT IN SOME WAY HAVE BEEN CONNECTED

WITH CORRUPTION AND THE ACTIVITIES OF ICAC, HE HAD APPLIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO THEM FOR A JOB, AND THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE PRESSURE, INCLUDING A REQUEST FROM THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION,

FOR A RE-OPENING OF THE CORONERS INQUIRY. THIS WAS TURNED DOWN BY

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AS THE MATERIAL SUBMITTED WITH THE REPRESENT-

ATION WAS INSUFFICIENT TO WARRANT A REOPENING OF THE INQUIRY AND

DID NOT GIVE ANY HOPE OF FRESH EVIDENCE BEING UNRECOVERED. THIS

BECAME PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE, AND FOLLOWING FURTHER PUBLIC COMMENT,

REV. JOYCE BENNETT ASKED IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON 7 DECEMBER

WHETHER GOVERNMENT WOULD APPOINT A COMMISSION TO ENQUIRE INTO THE

CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING LIU'S DEATH. IN REPLY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID THAT, WHILST GOVERNMENT DID NOT CONSIDER IT APPROPRIATE TO APPOINT A COMMISSION UNDER THE COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY ORDINANCE, IN VIEW OF CONTINUING PUBLIC INTEREST THE . COMMISSIONER OF POLICE HAD ASKED THE DIRECTOR OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS TO RE-EXAMINE THE MATTER TO SEE WHAT FURTHER ENQUIRIES IF ANY COULD BE MADE. A SPECIAL SQUAD WAS ESTABLISHED TO DO THIS AND INVESTIGATIONS, WHICH ARE STILL CONTINUING, ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETE IN 2 TO 3 WEEKS. PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE

CASE APPEARS TO BE WANING.

MACLEHOSE

FILES HK & GD (5) MR STRATTON

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