Disgraced Rafael Hui may seek legal aid for appeal, says wife who 'kept her finances separate'

The wife of Rafael Hui Si-yan yesterday broke her silence for the first time since his graft trial started, as the chief secretary turned criminal endured his first night behind bars with a dinner that "tasted like hospital food" and a draughty room.

Appearing calm and modest, Teresa Lo Mei-mei said her disgraced husband, 66, would "certainly appeal" against his five convictions of bribery and misconduct in public office, possibly with the help of legal aid.

Despite having a free-spending spouse, Lo said she controlled her own money. "I am not stupid and we always kept our finances separate," she said outside Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre.

After a night in which temperatures plunged to about 10 degrees Celsius, Lo arrived at the maximum-security facility on Butterfly Valley Road at 9.30am and visited Hui for 90 minutes.

The former government No 2, now in a standard prisoner's outfit, had an uncomfortable sleep as it was "cold inside", Lo said. The man who for years was used to wining and dining also had his first taste of prison portions.

Asked if she would pay his legal fees, Lo said: "Since Mr Hui is bankrupt, he may consider getting legal aid when lodging an appeal."

Her husband had admitted showering millions of dollars on a Shanghai mistress, in a lavish lifestyle Lo said was a "great shortcoming" she never interfered in. "Would he listen to me if I asked him to buy fewer things? I didn't want to be a naggy wife," she said.