Legislators Kicked Out Of Express Rail Meeting

A meeting of the Legislative Council bills committee vetting legislation for the controversial express rail station in West Kowloon descended into chaos on Monday, with some opposition lawmakers ejected from the chamber by chairwoman Regina Ip.

Ip had said earlier that she plans to wrap up discussions during Monday's meeting, after the opposition had submitted over 20 amendments to the bill.

Pan-dems were unhappy that Ip did not allow them enough time to put questions to officials.

Lawmakers Ray Chan, Au Nok-hin, and Jeremy Tam were ejected after the three protested against Ip’s way of handling the meeting.

The meeting then turned into a shouting match after Ip ignored lawmakers’ requests to let them raise questions about the council’s rules of procedures.

Chan and Au were expelled from the meeting room after the two clashed with the security guards.

Tam accused Ip of being "out of her mind" in her handling of the meeting, saying she is only concerned about getting the bill passed.

Later Ip also ordered security guards to expel lawmaker Chu Hoi-dick from the meeting, after he protested against her decision not to let him raise questions about the council's rules of procedures.

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