Legco Must Rectify Itself, Says Carrie Lam

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Tuesday that lawmakers must "mend their ways" and the Legislative Council must "rectify itself", adding that the government will be patient and wait for a few more days to see if this happens.

Lam was addressing the ongoing deadlock in the council's House Committee which has failed to elect a chairperson since last October, amid filibustering by the pan-dems.

Before going into the Executive Council meeting on Tuesday morning, the CE said the situation is "deeply regrettable".

But she expressed hope that DAB leader Starry Lee will be able to break the impasse using new, external legal advice that suggests she can take control of House Committee business, being as she was its most recent chairperson.

Lam said she noted that Lee wants to break the deadlock, and the government "will be patient and wait for a few more days".

Lee had said that she would make a decision this Friday on whether to follow the outside legal advice, which contradicts the opinions of Legco's own lawyers who believe the committee must choose a chairperson before handling other affairs.

Lam said it was just a coincidence that the external advice from two senior counsels matches the opinions of the government.

"They [the lawyers] are of the firm view that the prevailing chairwoman of the House Committee should have the responsibility and the power to deal with the business of the House Committee. So what I'm now expecting, and which the Honourable Starry Lee has agreed, is for the prevailing House Committee chairwoman to exercise her power," the CE said.

Lam added that it would not be within the "spirit of respect" for people to accuse the external lawyers of being biased.

In the absence of an elected chair, the Civic Party's Dennis Kwok has been presiding over House Committee meetings. Lam said Kwok had given people the very clear impression that the delays to the election were "quite deliberate" and "for political reasons".

Asked whether an attempt by Lee to take over House Committee proceedings could lead to trouble in the council and possibly a judicial review, Lam said such disputes are not unprecedented.

She said the courts can decide on the matter if a legal challenge is brought, adding that if there are law and order issues such as "fighting", then "of course law enforcement can deal with that".