Carrie Lam Denies Singling Out Benny Tai

Chief Executive Carrie Lam has rejected suggestions that she had singled out Occupy leader Benny Tai by condemning him for suggesting that Hong Kong could consider independence if China ever becomes democratic.

Civic Party legislator Jeremy Tam raised the issue during the CE's appearance on Wednesday at the Legislative Council.

Tam said that Lam herself had previously told secondary school students at a seminar that they don’t have to agree with every provision in the Basic Law.

Lam said the statements Tai had made at a forum in Taiwan had repercussions for society and neither she, nor the government, is responsible for the controversy. She said the public will make their own judgements on the matter.

Lam also said that raising issues such as independence cannot be considered to be a matter of freedom of speech or academic freedom.