Police Look Into Ted Hui's Legco Phone Grab

The Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung said on Wednesday that the police are looking into an alleged phone snatching by lawmaker Ted Hui, but denied there was any information on the phone that may have infringed lawmakers’ privacy.

Hui took the official's phone during a Legco meeting on Tuesday morning and later returned it to her. He said he found that it contained a lot of personal information on lawmakers.

Cheung condemned Hui, saying his act was “rude” and unacceptable. He said the officer was there to check where in Legco the lawmakers were, and that the phone didn't contain any kind of sensitive information.

“There was no question of invasion of privacy here. In fact the Legislative Council Secretariat had written to us some time ago enquiring about the modus operandi of the so-called marshalling duty, and we provided a lot of information to them and they came back and accepted our explanation,” he said.

The explanations were also accepted by the Privacy Commissioner, Cheung added.

Security Secretary John Lee also said that the officer was simply performing her normal duties by reporting the whereabouts of lawmakers, whether they are present at Legco or not.

New People's Party chairwoman Regina Ip, who chaired Tuesday's meeting, said Hui took the phone during a break when the government officer was trying to marshal councillors back into the conference room.

Ip said the officer was reduced to tears by the incident and has reported the matter to the police.

Business and Professional Alliance lawmaker Priscilla Leung said Hui has committed a criminal offence. She said his action was illegal and totally unacceptable, and she called on Hui to make a public apology.