The prosecution in the most high profile graft trial in Hong Kong's history was today put on hold after issues with the jury forced its dismissal. The city's former number two official and the co-chairmen of one of the world's major real estate firms are in the dock. Former chief secretary Rafael Hui Si-yan is accused of receiving HK$34 million in bribes and other financial inducements from billionaire brothers Thomas Kwok Ping-kwong and Raymond Kwok Ping-luen, the chairmen of Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP).
Noon: With the case adjourned, that will be all for today's live report. Join us again when the prosecution finally does open for up to the minute reporting of events in the courtroom.
11.30am: The case has been adjourned.
11.20am: "Thank you for your patience. Your services will no longer be required," the judge tells the eight jury members. Addressing the woman with the flight booked, he adds: "You can now go to Korea."
11.15am: The panel of eight jurors are summoned back to the courtroom and they are all discharged, throwing the process into disarray. All are told to leave the court.
10.55am: Scenes in court are becoming farcical as another juror raises objections. She tells the judge she had changed the date of a flight to South Korea to serve on the jury, but now the travel agent wants to charge her for switching the flight. The eight remaining jurors are again sent out.
