TNAG-1101-FCO40-1351-Legislation-on-homosexuality-in-Hong-Kong-including--Report--1981 — Page 599

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the so called Yuen Long affair in 1978 and that he was specifically targetted. MacLennan did not appear to fall within principal SIU targetting criteria.

November/December 1980

A decision was made to prosecute MacLennan following

discussions between Mr. Moor and A.G.

January 1980

When members of the SIU visited MacLennan's quarters to effect his arrest he was found dead in circumstances which will

be known to members.

Since MacLennan's death both media and public rumours and conjecture have abounded. The March 1980 inquest into his death did nothing to quell such rumours and the Commission of Inquiry was subsequently appointed in July 1980. Under, primarily, the "motivation" head of the terms of reference, many persons have been questioned publicly and/or privately. Amongst those to whom questions have been put are HE, CS, AG, S. for S. and SCS. these persons only SCS has thus far been called to give evidence before the Commission; the AG is scheduled to do so and it seems possible that HE and CS may also be called.

The basis upon which HE and CS have been required to answer questions is related to policy. There does exist, however, an unsupported theory of a potential high level conspiracy to protect the CP. That, of course, is nonsense, but if not handled responsibly and with great care, the suggestion, if made in public, could create doubts in the minds of the public thereby damaging the offices and personal reputations of both HE and CS. The potential damage to the territory in such an event is inestimable.

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