My Take | Justice seen to be done over Mong Kok despite claims of opposition
Former Hong Kong governor Chris Patten is just one of those to have criticised the conviction and jailing of Edward Leung Tin-kei, but the rule of law has been upheld
For someone who claims to defend the interests of Hong Kong, Chris Patten is doing his best to undermine the credibility and international standing of our judges.
After independence advocate Edward Leung Tin-kei was sentenced to six years in jail for his part in the 2016 Mong Kok riot, the last British governor cast doubt on the validity of his prosecution and claimed his conviction amounted to an abuse of the Public Order Ordinance.
Patten said the law was vaguely worded and so was open to abuse. But for argument’s sake, even if public prosecutors were tainted, would Patten allege the same about the judge in the case, Madam Justice Anthea Pang Po-kam?
Was Pang not capable or independent enough to make a valid judgment on the basis of the law as she understood it?
If so, our opposition’s defenders of the rule of law and their foreign supporters such as Patten should say it out aloud rather than making insinuations and unfounded claims.
Leung’s defence lawyer said he was planning an appeal against the sentence. Shouldn’t we let a higher court take care of it? Isn’t this how the law is supposed to work?