THE sacking of Alex Tsui Ka-kit due to an undeclared association with a man under investigation by Mr Tsui's underlings raised internal questions about the ICAC's powers unprecedented in its 20-year history.
The South China Morning Post understands Mr Tsui was sacked for not declaring an association with a man involved in an Independent Commission Against Corruption investigation.
As deputy director of operations and the third most senior officer, the investigation files would have been crossing Mr Tsui's desk as part of daily reports of all ongoing operational matters.
Mr Tsui met the man in Macau just hours after he was interviewed by Mr Tsui's underlings in June in relation to a shooting now before the courts.
Both Mr Tsui, 46, and the man sit on the executive of the Hong Kong Boxing Association and had met in Macau on Thai boxing business. Neither has been charged with any offence and both still work voluntarily for the association.
However, the link - uncovered after an internal investigation prompted by criminal intelligence related to the Thai kick-boxing fraternity - was found to be a clear breach of commission standing orders.