16
See (14)
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1A 2AH
JC Griffiths Esq OC Attorney-General HONG KONG
Dear Jim,
John
MACLENNAN
1.
HIR 38011
RECEIVED AWAY NO. 51
233 3184
Telephone 01-
15 !!!! 1981
DESK OFFICER INDEX
YourFeference
Our reference
PA
REGISTRY
Action Taken
Mass from 2718
Date 15 July 1981
Beeks
Bi
3.6
+waoks noted Mas
100 2017
16
See (18
24
see нык 38013
(28
1980
See 31
As you know, Mr Peter Blaker MP, who used to be the FCO Minister of State dealing with Hong Kong, is suing Private Eye for libel in an article they published on 23 May 1980. The article questioned Mr Blaker's motives in replying to Parliamentary Questions about Inspector MacLennan's death.
See (22,
2.
One of the issues that may arise is whether public interest immunity should be claimed for certain official documents which Mr Blaker saw if the defendants take steps to obtain production of those documents. Copies of the documents in question are attached.
3.
We are advised that the Secretary of State might properly be advised to make a claim in the public interest on one or more of the following grounds:
a) That the subpoena specifies documents falling within a class which concerns relations or dealings between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of a territory outside the United Kingdom which forms part of Her Majesty's dominions. The following may fall within this category:
i) 'Background Note';
ii) Minute date 29 April 1980;
57
See Hkt 380/2 19482 §)
HICK 38013
1980
13
MKK 3.80/3 зроз
1983
iii) Telegram No 355 dated 1 May 1980.
b) That certain of the documents concern police
investigations or might disclose information to those who organise criminal activities and, possibly, even the identity of an informer (the Hong Kong student who returned to this country in 1978). The Telegram numbered 609 dated 6 May 1980 may fall within this class.
HIR 380/319%%%
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
(c)
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Private notes are available after approval.