Junius Ho Slams UK Move Over 'kill Them' Remark

Pro-Beijing lawmaker and lawyer Junius Ho on Thursday condemned a UK regulatory body for taking action against him over controversial remarks he made at a rally in Hong Kong in 2017, but said he has confidence in the tribunal which will hear the case.

Ho told RTHK that people had misunderstood and "mis-translated" comments which were widely taken to mean that he thought Hong Kong independence activists should be killed.

"I did not say 'kill without mercy'," he explained, adding that anyone who had a "reasonable comprehension of Chinese" would know that the phrase actually meant that "killing should not be easily forgotten, forgiven or excused".

Ho said he was the victim of a hate campaign by Britain's Luke De Pulford and Lord Alton – who both have ties to Hong Kong Watch – adding that it is a shame that a country with such a deep history and civilisation as the UK can cultivate people "without any integrity".

The lawmaker blasted the UK's Solicitors Regulation Authority for bringing the action against him on the grounds that his remarks could be perceived as inciting violence against opponents.

"It is of regret to see that politics is influencing and affecting academia, liberty and autonomy, and also affecting professional independence as well. In fact, you know, all these allegations are without basis," he said.

Ho said he had instructed his UK counsel to defend his position, and he will join the tribunal hearing in London in December via Zoom.

"I don't think that, even though the Solicitors Regulation Authority is not doing it right, the same thing will apply to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. No, I still have confidence in the independence and also the consciousness of the tribunal," he said.

The tribunal will decide whether to remove Ho from the UK register.

In response to Ho's remarks about him, De Pulford wrote on Twitter "Hey, Junius. I’ll stop when you retract your death threats to other legislators, apologise for 7/21, denounce your triad friends, and pledge to support the 5 demands".