HK Needs Independent Probe To Heal: Anthony Cheung

The former Secretary for Transport and Housing, Anthony Cheung, on Saturday added his voice to calls for an independent probe into the extradition bill saga, saying it was the only way to resolve the political crisis.

"I think for the community as a whole it is necessary to establish (the) full facts, so that there is ground for reconciliation," Cheung said.

He added that he believed many other public figures also backed the idea.

Cheung says that while some protesters may view the probe's findings as an insufficient response to their demands, but it was important for the city to move forward.

The Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) is the only body investigating the policing of the recent unrest, with the Carrie Lam administration repeatedly refusing to accede to protesters’ demands to set up a formal commission of inquiry.

The IPCC said on Friday that it was expanding its probe, to include more recent protests rather than focusing only on the earliest ones.

Almost two thousand people have filed complaints against the police over their handling of the protests – from allegations of assault, misconduct, and unnecessary use of authority, to fabricating evidence, making threats and neglect of duty.

The council has received over 1,200 submissions containing more than 24,000 photos, texts, video clips and internet hyperlinks backing up the complaints.

Critics have questioned whether the IPCC has the resources or ability to conduct an adequately thorough probe, because it has no legal power to summon witnesses.