Leaders of banned Hong Kong National Party to face three-man Exco panel for appeal
- Date set for January 14, with Martin Liao, Chow Chung-kong and Joseph Yam to hear arguments
- One executive councillor says hearing could be first of its kind
The leaders of the outlawed Hong Kong National Party will get to appeal against the ban before a three-member committee of Executive Council members on January 14, the Post has learned.
It was earlier expected that Andy Chan Ho-tin and Jason Chow Ho-fai would make written submissions to Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and her de facto cabinet, with Lam having the final say.
But Exco has decided to hold a hearing, following protests by the party that the appeal process was unfair.
A source with direct knowledge of the arrangements for next month’s hearing said the panel comprised barrister Martin Liao Cheung-kong, former stock exchange chairman Chow Chung-kong and former Monetary Authority chief Joseph Yam Chi-kwong.
The Exco secretariat declined to comment on the matter or confirm if the committee’s decision would be final, or require full Exco approval.
Exco members Ronny Tong Ka-wah and Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said the council could delegate its duty to a committee, but any decision may be handed back to the full panel for confirmation.