'Changing Panel Head Would Create Legal Problems'

Democratic Party lawmaker James To, who has presided over two meetings of a bills committee on extradition laws, warned on Tuesday that if he is removed by Legco's house committee, it could raise legal questions.

To said such a move may invalidate subsequent legislative proceedings undertaken by the panel.

He was reacting to a demand by pro-Beijing lawmakers that Abraham Shek be allowed to preside over the next meeting of the committee, after the panel failed to elect a chair at two consecutive meetings.

To, who presided over the committee meetings as the most senior councillor, said his rivals should have raised the issue at the time if they had problems with how he managed the proceedings.

He said he had made sure that he strictly followed the rules, adding that this was an instance of "heads I win, tails you lose" and accusing his rivals of adopting double standards.

Civic Party leader Alvin Yeung, meanwhile, accused the pro-government camp of treating Legco like a toy. He said the camp was citing a "guideline" and not an "order", and they cannot create their own set of Legco rules.

The convenor of the pro-democracy camp, Claudia Mo, said if Legco rules are twisted, pro-establishment councillors will lose more than they stand to gain.