獨立調查

近年獨立調查(independent inquiry)這詞語變得政治敏感, 使人聯想到是毒辣調查, 使人惶恐, 也像禁忌課題。真正的獨立調查, 可能帶來政治的衝擊, 當然也要視乎獨立調查賦予的權力。

前些時講過Brittany Higgins在國會內的部長辦公室被醉姦案, 後續變成three-ring circus。認真計算又何止three rings, 一干人等互相指責, 包括事主(Brittany Higgins)、被告(Bruce Lehrmann)、澳大利亞首都領地(ACT)的刑事檢控專員Shane Drumgold SC、隸屬首都的聯邦警察(Australian Federal Police), 除此, 還有因本案而被影響至敗選的前聯合政府內想報仇雪恨的人。這獨立調查聽證過程一定精彩, 本周三澳大利亞首都領地首長委任了退休法官Walter Sofronoff KC主持有關聆訊, 從new.com.au報導的聆訊權力及範圍已可見到這案件值得獨立調查之處:

The Terms of Reference have now been finalised, and include:

- Whether any police officers failed to act in accordance with their duties or acted in breach of their duties in their conduct of the investigation of the allegations of Ms. Brittany Higgins concerning Mr Bruce Lehrmann.

- It will also examine their dealings with the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to his duty to decide whether to commence, to continue and to discontinue criminal proceedings against Mr Lehrmann in relation to those allegations.

- Police dealings with the legal representatives for Mr Lehrmann before, during or after the trial in the matter of R v Lehrmann; in their provision of information to any persons in relation to the matter of R v Lehrmann.

- If any police officers so acted, their reasons and motives for their actions.

- Whether the Director of Public Prosecutions failed to act in accordance with his duties or acted in breach of his duties in making his decisions to commence, to continue and to discontinue criminal proceedings against Mr Lehrmann.

- If the Director of Public Prosecutions so acted, his reasons and motives for his actions.

- The circumstances around, and decisions which led to the public release of the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions’ letter to the Chief Police Officer of ACT Policing dated 1 November 2022.

- Whether the Victims of Crime Commissioner acted in accordance with the relevant statutory framework in terms of support provided to the complainant in the matter of R v Lehrmann.

- Any matter reasonably incidental to any of the above matters.

(Bombshell letter to be part of inquiry into Bruce Lehrmann police investigation)

本案獨立調查的重要性在於彰顯司法公正, 而受害人、被告、DPP及AFP都歡迎獨立調查, 涉案的部長就沒有表態。因為直接爭吵的各方都同意獨立調查, 所以成事, 否則因應各種利害關係及可預想會捅出的事會引起的尷尬, 就未必成事。 這次獨立調查也有其特別之處, 警方和刑事檢控專員一向都相處融洽的, 雖無從屬關係, 刑事案是否提控, 一向都是刑事檢控專員的決定, 警察負責搜證, 怎樣不同意檢控決定也不能向辯方傾斜。這次處理不好, 以後相處會困難重重, 受害的是社會治安。獨立調查是民主制度的check and balance的一種, 但一樣受政治左右的, 能否制衡得到視乎執政和在野的政黨的角力能力。政治因素可致應獨立調查的事情不成事, 獨立調查結果政府可以不接受採納。投票可以黨同伐異用來護短, 特朗普兩次被彈核都不成功, 都因為欠缺票數, 就是好例子 。 

澳網落幕, 羽毛球的國際球賽事不絕, 都看得膩了, 於是一面研究烘焙, 一面啃起末代港督彭定康的The Hong Kong Diaries來, 全書500頁, 始終是日記, 難免零散瑣碎, 但撫今追昔, 從他的敘事觀點看當年香港的發展也蠻有趣的, 他對於遇到的人都有評價, 看了幾十頁, 一點也不沉悶,  他寫得相當率直。 

我看這本書也有點巧合, 肥彭寫過幾本書, 我一本都沒看過, 老伴叫我在網上替她訂購兩本書, 這是其中一本, 另一本講晶片的。早兩天這本先到, 老伴手上還有書, 所以叫我先看, 我是順民, 所以遵奉命令來看。肥彭的文字功力甚高, 寫得活潑生動, 我可以看日記學英文了。

老伴想吃咖啡提子包, 於是我在百忙中又做了一盤。這次用湯種來做包, 十分黏手。寄情於看書和烘焙, 精神之饞和口腹之欲都滿足了, 舊夢不須記。