Democrats Launch Fund Campaign To Start UGL Probe

The Democratic Party has launched a crowd-funding campaign named "wolf-hunting" to raise at least HK$2 million to pursue allegations of non-disclosure against former Chief Executive CY Leung.

The allegations relate to a HK$50 million payment Leung received from Australian firm UGL in a deal struck before he took over as Chief Executive in 2012.

The ICAC is still investigating the case, but there has been no official word from the government about its current status. However, officials have rejected media reports that surfaced earlier saying that Department of Justice had decided to drop the case.

Leung, who has denied any wrongdoing, has refused top cooperate with a Legco select committee looking into the allegation.

Democratic Party lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting said investigations into the UGL saga have been going on for more than three years and there is no evidence of any progress, while the Legco probe has run into a dead end without Leung's cooperation.

Lam said legal advice from the UK concluded that there is a prima facie case against Leung – on allegations of bribery and misconduct in public office.

He said the funds raised under this campaign will be used to pursue the case in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and Australia. The lawmakers also plan to hire experts and gather evidence.

Lam said the campaign money will be audited by an independent accountant and made public to ensure transparency.

Lam told RTHK's Prsicilla Ng that he is confident that the Hong Kong public will respond to the campaign as many people have approached him to help after he launched a complaint with the British authorities.