No Evidence Yet To Sack Ted Hui, Say Democrats

Democratic Party Chairman Wu Chi-wai says says the evidence seen so far is not enough to cost Ted Hiu his Legco seat over Tuesday's phone-snatching incident.

Wu was seeking to ease some members' concerns that the party may be giving up on Hui. Hui said he took the phone from a government official and then searched through it because he suspected the administration is unlawfully collecting personal information on lawmakers.

The party held a three-hour meeting behind closed doors on Saturday to discuss the incident.

Speaking afterwards Wu said some members thought the party had overreacted by suspending Hui's membership. He also said there's no decision yet on whether the party should back a censure motion against Hui.

Meanwhile the Chief Secretary, Matthew Cheung, says the government is observing, and not monitoring, legislators following Hui's allegations.

Cheung says the work helps to ensure a quorum and means meetings run more smoothly. He said legislators were not disturbed and their privacy was not invaded. And, in a letter to the Legislative Council chairman, he called for all officers to be protected.