Legco Panel Decides To Probe Phone Snatching Case

Legislators have set up an investigation committee to conduct an inquiry into councillor Ted Hui’s snatching of an official’s phone inside Legco last year – a process that could eventually see the pan-democrat censured and removed from office.

Hui is already facing three charges of common assault, obstructing a public officer and obtaining access to a computer with a view to dishonest gain for oneself or another. The Eastern Magistrates’ Court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on May 27.

The chairwoman of the investigation committee, Federation of Trade Unions lawmaker Alice Mak, explained that there would no conflict because the court case would be over by the time the Legco committee begins its probe. She noted that there’s plenty of preparatory administrative work to be done, which will take quite some time.

Once the probe committee concludes its findings, they may or may not bring it before the full council. If they do, the lawmakers could then vote on whether to censure Hui. If a two-thirds majority backs it, Hui would be removed from the house.

After the phone-snatching incident, the Democratic Party suspended his membership and had said it is holding a disciplinary investigation as well into the matter.