Kam Nai-wai's ex-aide won't attend probes
The former assistant to Democratic Party lawmaker Kam Nai-wai yesterday told the Legislative Council and a human rights group that she would not attend inquiries into her sacking.
Human Rights Monitor decided to call off an investigation by a three- to five-member panel to help the party look into an allegation that Kam sacked his assistant, Kimmie Wong, after she rejected his advances.
Human Rights Monitor director Law Yuk-kai said he had been told by Wong's lawyer that Wong would not attend the investigation because she was suffering from stress.
'We cannot carry out a proper investigation because the key person involved in the case has decided not to participate,' Law said. The rights group decided to end the investigation after discussion with its chairman and panel members.
Law and party vice-chairwoman Emily Lau Wai-hing said they respected the decision.
'The stance of the Democratic Party is very clear: that we will co-operate fully with the investigation of this case,' Lau said.
She said she would try to add the issue to the agenda of the party's central committee meeting tomorrow.
The chairwoman of the House Committee, Miriam Lau Kin-yee, said the legislature had heard through Wong's lawyer that Wong was not willing to help in the wording of a charge against Kam. The deadline for a response was yesterday.
A first draft of a censure motion against Kam over his conduct has been completed. This could be used to disqualify Kam from office. The legislature had been waiting for a possible amendment by Wong.
'I am worried that there may be difficulties in a subsequent investigation,' Miriam Lau said, adding that she would discuss the development with the three other lawmakers on the working group.
If submission of a censure motion continues, a Legco inquiry is automatically initiated. But tourism sector lawmaker Paul Tse Wai-chun had said he would seek to halt the censure process by tabling a motion against it.
In July, Kam admitted he once told Wong he had feelings for her, but felt that did not amount to making advances. Kam could not be reached for comment last night.
