Covering CONFIDENTIAL
HOME OFFICE
Queen Anne's Gate London SW1H 9AT
Direct line 01-273
Switchboard 01-273 3000
J Morris Esq
FCO
Hong Kong Department LONDON
SW1
Dear Josha
OSMAN
Please reply to The Under Secretary of State
Your reference
Our reference
Date
27 March 1991
We spoke about the enclosed correspondence from Mr Kevin Cahill to Sir Robin Butler which has found its way to the Home Office because of the Osman connection. You agreed that in view of the nature of the matters raised, it would be more appropriate for the FCO than for us to prepare the reply.
It seems to me doubtful that Sir Robin Butler's responsibilities extend to the activities of Crown servants in Hong Kong. Given also that the extradition proceedings in this country against Mr Osman are once again sub-judice because of his fifth habeas corpus application, there may be little to say in reply to Mr Cahill. He has been the instigator of much public and ministerial correspondence about the Osman case.
On the other hand, Sir Robin Butler may require a fuller
briefing. I am therefore enclosing a copy of our standard reply to campaign correspondence, which says about as much as we can within the constraints of sub-judice. The allegations made by Mr Cahill are not new, and have been raised in the course of the various judicial proceedings here - mainly the
3rd and 4th habeas corpus applications. I attach an analysis which was prepared for our ministers which you may find helpful, although I would stress that it should not be sent to Mr Cahill. The essential point for us is that our courts have ruled that the allegations do not affect the propriety of the Hong Kong government's request for extradition.
In
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