Banker David Li Kwok-po, who resigned from the Executive Council on Saturday nearly two weeks after settling an insider-trading case in the US, has been backed to continue his role as a financial-sector lawmaker.
Exco member Bernard Chan said: 'Mr Li is a very suitable representative for the finance sector. If he is interested in running again, it should be something for the constituency to decide.' He said Mr Li had done nothing wrong.
'I actually find it unfair. Indeed, he has done nothing wrong. He shouldn't shoulder any responsibility. I think this is purely a question about the next term. This is something for him and the voters to decide,' Mr Chan said.
He said he regretted Mr Li's decision to leave Exco, as did fellow member Laura Cha Shih May-lung.
Amy Yip Yok-tak, chief executive of DBS Bank (Hong Kong), said Mr Li had made contributions as a banking representative in Legco and, based on the information available, would support him running for a new term.
Some legislators said it would be up to Mr Li's constituency to decide if he should step down from the Legislative Council.