Another Dept Probes House Linked To Senior Policeman

A second government department now says it is looking into whether any regulations have been violated in relation to a village house in Sai Kung which is believed to be the home of a senior police officer who has been a prominent figure in the force's handling of the SAR's social unrest.

A report in the Apple Daily newspaper said chief superintendent Rupert Dover and his wife, who is also a police officer, had advertised the house in Pik Shui Sun Tsuen as a bed and breakfast on social media despite not having the relevant licences.

The Home Affairs Department confirmed to RTHK on Friday afternoon that according to its records, the house in question does not have the paperwork necessary to operate as a guesthouse and the Licensing Authority would follow up on the matter.

A spokesman said if there is sufficient evidence to prove that the home has been used as an unlicensed guesthouse, they may prosecute.

The spokesman also said that the authority carries out inspections of a premises within eight working days of receiving a complaint regarding suspected unlicensed guesthouses or hotels.

Meanwhile, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) said it could not comment on individual cases, but if a complaint is received and there is sufficient evidence, it would follow up the matter in accordance with established procedures and the law.

This comes after the Lands Department said on Wednesday that it was looking into whether any regulations had been violated involving the house, which was built on government land under a licence that prevents anyone but the original licencee and their family from living there.

Lands officials had said they would be making arrangements to visit the property.

Dover, who has been a policeman in Hong Kong for more than three decades, has often been at the forefront of policing operations at anti-government protests.

Next Magazine said earlier this week that police had arrested two of its reporters who were investigating the house.

The police said the arrests were based on a reasonable suspicion that the reporters were loitering in the area.