Private Prosecution Filed Against Dennis Kwok

A businessman has filed for a private prosecution against legislator Dennis Kwok, accusing him of misconduct in public office over his handling of the House Committee chairman election.

The businessman, whose identity has not been revealed, is said to be in the trade sector and has no political background.

He accuses the Civic Party lawmaker of stalling the House Committee chairman election by dealing with at least 14 "irrelevant matters" during meetings between October and April.

The businessman says a number of bills could not be submitted to the meeting, voted on, or passed, and this had damaged people's livelihoods.

His legal team includes Stanley Chan and Vivien Chan who were the prosecuting lawyers in a recent trial of ousted lawmaker Au Nok-hin, who last month was found guilty of assaulting two officers with a loudhailer.

A former magistrate, Symon Wong, is also a member of the prosecuting legal team.

The prosecution evidence includes statements from concerned parties, and minutes and video clips of relevant meetings, and those who are familiar with the rules of procedure may be called to give evidence.

The application was filed at Sha Tin Magistrates' Court, which will examine the relevant evidence and decide whether or not to proceed.

Beijing officials recently accused Kwok of misconduct in public office as part of a series of statements issued regarding the deadlock in the House Committee since last October.