Licensee Gave Us Permission For House: Rupert Dover

Assistant police commissioner Rupert Dover said on Friday that he would move out of a licensed house in Sai Kung if instructed to by officials, despite saying he has the permission of the licensee to live there.

Dover was speaking to reporters outside his home in Pik Shui Sun Tsuen not long after the Home Affairs Department confirmed that it too would look into claims regarding property linked to the senior police chief, in addition to a probe earlier announced by the Lands Department.

The assistant commissioner appeared to confirm a Next Magazine report that he lives in a house in the village, which was built on government land under a licence that only allows the original licensee and their family to live there.

Dover said the licensee is a relative of his wife.

"This house that we're walking to now, that you are following me to, No 1 house, which is a licensed house, we have the permission of the licensee to live there, it's a family member of my wife," he told reporters.

"Of course, if so directed by Lands, then I would leave. But I'm very keen to get some clarification on this. Exactly what does 'family member' mean?"

On Friday, Apple Daily reported that Dover and his wife, who is also in the police force, had advertised another house in the same village as a bed and breakfast, despite not holding a guesthouse licence.

"I'm aware of the various allegations that have been made in the most recent report and I'm hopeful they'll be fully investigated by the relevant government departments. I'm sure they'll do that so I'm gonna hold any comments until then," Dover said.

"I think that has to be fully investigated by the Lands Department … whatever other relevant government departments. I'll abide by any findings, directions, whatever," he added.

Dover was a familiar face at some of the anti-government protests last year, often leading the force's operations to clear people off the streets.