Government Is 'most Grateful' To IPCC: John Lee

Security Secretary John Lee on Wednesday praised the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) for its "invaluable contribution" to Hong Kong.

The comment came as the government announced various appointments and re-appointments to the police watchdog.

"In the face of different opinions, challenges and increasing public expectations from the society, the government is most grateful for the invaluable contribution of the IPCC in safeguarding a fair, effective and transparent two-tier police complaints system in Hong Kong," Lee said.

He added that the government will continue to give its full support to the IPCC so it can "uphold a fair and impartial police complaints system".

In May, the watchdog released a report into the police handling of various incidents during last year's social unrest, concluding that there were no systemic problems, and that the use of force against protesters was justified.

It also said police were being "smeared", and it had found no evidence that officers had colluded with the large gang of men that indiscriminately attacked scores of people at Yuen Long MTR Station on July 21, 2019.

Critics said the IPCC report was a whitewash, noting that the watchdog itself had admitted that it has no investigative powers. An independent inquiry into the police handling of the protests is one of the "five demands" of anti-government protesters.