P.c.
23
Mr Donald (on return)
THE MACLENNAN INQUIRY
MIR 38011
REINO IN REMSIRY NO. CONFIDENOLASEP 1981
DESK OFFICER INDEX
PA
REGISTRY
Action Teken
2. Pas 419
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1. We have now received a copy of Mr Justice Yang's Report on this Inquiry. Generally it is unremarkable. Yang found that MacLennan had been a homosexual and had committed suicide, that the investigations before and after his death had been properly motivated and in most cases properly carried out.
2. There are some relatively minor criticisms of individual police officers but it is the Commissioner of Police and the Attorney-General who are most severely criticised. Mr Henry is found to have committed an error in deciding in 1978, following uncollaborated allegations that MacLennan had engaged in homo-- sexual activities, that he should be sacked. Mr Henry took the view that MacLennan's retention was not in the long-term interest of the Force.
3. The criticisms of Mr Griffiths are more serious. He is found to have made a grossly misleading statement at a press conference following the open verdict of Coroner's jury. Mr Griffiths is also criticised for an error of judgement when he rang the solicitor representing a Police Officer who
to become a major witness at the Inquiry and who had been the subject of the misleading statement.
4.
You will not be surprised to hear that Mrs Elsie Elliott was also severely criticised by Yang. He described her as having a tendency to draw conclusions too readily, to exaggerate, to confuse opinion with fact and to interpret simple and straight- forward facts in the most sinister light.
5. It is now for the Executive Council to advise whether the report should be published. It is likely to agree to this. This will no doubt produce some lively debate and we may get some PQs on it but the question should subside after that.
6. Sir Murray MacLehose has been sent a copy of the Report.
Blip
1
See/21
R D Clift
24 August 1981
Hong Kong and General Department
This is something of a relief. But Hong Kong being
What it is there may be some rumbling and grumbling before
the questioni feially
Subsides
CONFIDENTIAL
Aritmalt
3179
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