TNAG-2390-FCO40-3472-Extradition-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong-case-of-Lorrain-Esme-Os-1991 — Page 147

Kevin Cahill

Tel: 071-833 3086

Fax:

071-837 9024

PAYMASTER GENERAL 11 OCT 1991 PRIVATE

4 OFFICE (L)

56 Tavistock Place London WC1 9RG.

Lord Belstead

House of Lords

London SW1.

9. 10. 1991.

Dear Lord Belistead,

Carrian

-

LORRAIN OSMAN

UK MALAYSIAN Foreign Relations.

I am currently finalising a book and documentary on the above matter. In the course of so doing I have come across cables and documents which imply that the matter went to the very heart of the UK/Malaysia relationship, with which you yourself become closely involved as Minister of State at the Foreign Office.

I enclose one of the cables which has surfaced under Parliamentary privilege. I also attach four letters which were introduced in the UK courts by the Hong Kong authorities.

Put simply, the Malaysian Cabinet, of which Tengku Razaleigh was Finance Minister, requested the prosecution of certain selected persons, including LORRAIN OSMAN. The letters appeared to have. been in the possession of the Hong Kong authorities since 1983. This was also when the "Buy British Last" policy of Dr Mahathir, the Malaysian Prime Minister, began to be modified.

There is a prima facie case that the letters were suppressed, to shield Razaleigh, and the case brought against Lorrain Osman as a constituent part of a policy to improve UK Malaysian foreign relations. It does appear the prosecution was brought for political reasons as part of an arrangement Between the UK and Malaysia and was executed by UK and Hong Kong officials.

I would be grateful for your comments on or off the record, and would also like to feel that you have had the opportunity to comment on this matter.

Your sincerely

Kevin Cahors

KEVIN CAHILL