The Government was accused yesterday of hinting that Judge Brian Caird may resign ahead of the inquiry into whether he should be removed. In a letter to barrister Paul Harris, responding to his request for the inquiry to be widened, Private Secretary John Tsang pointed out that a District Court judge 'may at any time resign his office'. Mr Harris said this was a 'deliberate hint' that the judge may resign and no inquiry be held. Judge Caird claimed Judge Clare Beeson and Judge Richard Hawkes tried to influence his handling of the Aaron Nattrass fraud trial. He later retracted the allegations and the two judges were cleared by an internal Judiciary inquiry. Mr Harris said Mr Tsang's letter showed the Government had no intention of extending the inquiry to consider the actions of two other judges. The lawyer said he had sent a copy of his letter to Governor Chris Patten and Prime Minister John Major.
