A, B
ARZABG
CONFIDENTIAL STAFF-IN-CONFIDENCE
HUD 373/1
ний
MAR 1988
Private Secretary
THE CARRIAN TRIAL
Problem
10 1903
FROM:
A R Paul
Hong Kong Department
Mr Fifoot
DATE:
10 March 1988
2
CC:
Mr Giltmore 3
тобы
6 5
Toss or divor
ал
て
1. Two further letters from Lord Benson, dated 23 and 25 February,
about the conduct of the Carrian trial and calling for the
suspension of Mr Justice Barker from sitting in Court in a judicial
capacity, pending an enquiry into his fitness to act.
Recommendation
2. I recommend that the Secretary of State discusses the matter
with the Governor of Hong Kong at their meeting on 21 March. We
have already put the Governor on notice that this is likely to
happen. I submit a draft interim reply to Lord Benson. A more
substantive reply can be sent after the Secretary of State's meeting
with the Governor.
C
Background
3. Lord Benson has previously written to the Secretary of State
about this matter on 8 and 21 October, 8 December and 5 January.
Lord Benson's latest letters draw attention to editorials in the
Hong Kong Law Journal written by Henry Litton, QC, Leader of the
Hong Kong Bar and others publicising speculation as to Barker J's fitness to continue serving (see highlighted passages at flag A). The Secretary of State sent an interim reply on 21 December. Since
then the Department has been in regular and frequent contact with
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