Update | Equality official under fire for helping church to oppose reform of anti-discrimination laws

A top official at the equality watchdog has been stripped of his role in a review of anti-discrimination laws after it was reported he organised members of his church to make submissions to the consultation to counter those by gay rights supporters.

The Equal Opportunities Commission will also launch an internal investigation after Apple Daily revealed that Josiah Chok Kin-ming, its chief equal opportunities officer, spoke at a church forum and handed out sample letters of opposition to reform.

The reports left gay rights groups outraged, and one called on Chok to quit.

An EOC spokeswoman said the decision was made "in order to alleviate public concerns regarding a possible conflict of interest, or queries regarding the EOC facilitators' impartiality in our Discrimination Law Reform public consultation".

Chok's views did not reflect those of the EOC, she said, adding that the body was trying to find out exactly what was said at the August 16 forum.

The EOC last month launched a three-month consultation on proposals to outlaw discrimination on the grounds of marital and residency status. It did not include legislation against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation - subject to a separate study in which Chok is not involved - though gay rights groups had made submissions in support of some of the proposals.