Democratic Party lawmaker Kam Nai-wai failed to live up to public expectations and jeopardised the image of the legislature after he sacked a female aide who had spurned his affections, a Legco panel investigation concluded.
But Kam escaped any penalty. Yesterday's report - which took the seven-member Legislative Council committee just over two years to complete - said his acts were not so grave as to warrant a disqualification. The panel comprised lawmakers from the pro-establishment camp.
The 26-month panel investigation cost HK$1.57 million.
Lawmakers are set to vote on a censure motion on April 18. But because pan-democratic lawmakers are expected to veto it, a two-thirds majority of the 60-member Legco is not likely and Kam would not lose his seat.
The 500-page report established that Kam had covered up details in response to media inquiries; he first told the press that he did not show any affection towards his assistant.
It was found that his media assistant, former Asia Television journalist Kimmie Wong Lai-chu, started to avoid Kam after he showed what he called 'good feelings' in June 2009.