Democratic Party on defensive after footage and arrest of Hong Kong activist Howard Lam
Less defiant tone taken by veteran members as commentators and lawmakers claim political credibility and leverage have been damaged
Hong Kong Democratic Party veterans tried to put up a brave front on Tuesday after one of their founding members who claimed mainland agents abducted him was arrested on suspicion of misleading police.
But they struck a different tone from the full support they pledged Howard Lam Tsz-kin at a press conference they held for him last Friday that “revealed” how he was allegedly kidnapped, tortured and then dumped on a beach. Instead, they insisted investigations ought to be completed before saying anything further.
Commentators and lawmakers across the political spectrum were openly critical, with some calling for an apology from the pan-democrats for wantonly spreading fear. The veterans had undermined their party’s position and credibility, critics said.
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Pro-establishment lawmakers asked them and other pan-democrats to clarify whether they did their best to verify Lam’s claims.
Speaking after an emergency meeting of the party’s central committee on Tuesday, the Democrats’ chairman, Wu Chi-wai, said the group had wholeheartedly believed Lam’s account and had studied his wounds.
“We held a press conference for his own safety,” Wu said.