TNAG-2390-FCO40-3472-Extradition-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong-case-of-Lorrain-Esme-Os-1991 — Page 120

SEM

Lord Caillmen agress

you

Sraft.

recommandation and the

RESTRICTED

Covering SECRETS

20

с

From: J W Guy

A TUJI

South East Asia Dept

Date: April 1991

P/PUS

STAY

Sir John Coles

Ian Russ

API / Lord Caithnele

RECEN

2411

M

Bunns

3. APK 71

Whe to

INDEX m Cabin

PÁ

REGISTRY Action Take

disc es

J727/4

Hong Kong Dept

Parker, Legal Advisers Security Dept

PS/Sir Robin Butler

22/4 My Colvin

Mr Butas

Sir Arthur Watts

minuts below Ap.291

PS/Lord Caithness

25%

25/4

LORRAIN OSMAN: ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION BY FCO OFFICIALS

Problem

He

A 1. Mr Kevin Cahill, a journalist, has written to Sir Arthur Watts

alleging corrupt action by FCO officials handling papers relating to the request from the Hong Kong authorities to extradite Lorrain

Osman from the United Kingdom to face fraud and other charges.

wrote similar letters to Sir Robin Butler and to Ms Rita Fan, a

member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council. He bases his allegations on a confidential telegram (Hong Kong telno 2874 of 1985 in FCO) the contents of which could become public knowledge through Cahill's actions. Should we take legal action to stop him?

B C

D

Recommendation

2. I recommend against any legal action to prevent Cahill using the official document in his possession; that we should instead reply to Mr Cahill rejecting his allegations. Legal Advisers, Hong Kong

Department and Treasury Solicitors agree. Sir Robin Butler is

DDODDTANDA

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