Equality official harmed credibility of watchdog with church comments, says EOC chief
Official was stripped of role in anti-discrimination review after helping church group oppose reform of laws
A top official at the equality watchdog who helped members of his church to oppose reform of anti-discrimination laws has damaged the credibility of the body, its chairman said.
Josiah Chok Kin-ming was stripped of his role in a review of the laws after it was reported that he organised members of his church to make submissions to the consultation to counter those by gay-rights supporters.
The consultation is being conducted by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC).
“The credibility of the EOC will more or less be affected,” said its chairperson Dr York Chow Yat-ngok on Friday.
Chok has not been fired and an internal EOC investigation is ongoing.
“[Chok’s] responsibility was to explain and answer questions at consultation sessions and not to analyse collected suggestions. Other colleagues have taken over his work,” said Chow.
The public consultation will not be affected, he said. EOC officials should refrain from actions which are against the commission’s principles and might adversely affect public perception of the watchdog, Chow added.