Simon Li libel suit shelved
LEADING Democrats Martin Lee Chu-ming and Szeto Wah have shelved their legal action against former appeal court judge Simon Li Fook-sean for alleged libel.
Mr Lee said he was too busy to pursue the case. 'It is not a priority at the moment. I am very busy as both a barrister and a politician. It is very troublesome to sue someone,' he said.
The legislator denied his move was intended to avoid antagonising China, saying that was never a consideration.
Mr Lee also denied he had faced undue difficulties in going ahead with the case, including a lack of witnesses, saying: 'Several reporters gave statements shortly after we filed the writ.' The Democratic Party chairman said he had yet to decide whether he would proceed with the case in the future. 'I feel most people don't believe we ever said such defamatory words,' he said. 'Moreover, nobody repeated the allegations after we started the action, so we don't think it's a priority.' The pair filed the writ against Mr Li, now a vice-chairman of the Preparatory Committee, in July 1993, alleging he had damaged their character and reputation by making defamatory statements.
Nine legal firms declined to take up the pair's case.
