Hong Kong lawmakers ousted in oath-taking row can keep their salaries if they return up to HK$310,000 of expenses
The quartet were originally told to stump up between HK$2.7 million and HK$3.1 million but the new claim amount is now a fraction of that
Four pro-democracy lawmakers ousted for taking their oaths of office in ways that Beijing later ruled unconstitutional will not have to pay back their full salaries – if they agree to return a smaller amount of expenses paid to them and items such as mobile phones and laptop computers.
Legislative Council president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen announced on Wednesday that after months of internal discussion, the Legco Commission decided not to pursue claims for the full amounts ranging from HK$2.7 million (US$344,000) to HK$3.1 million.
Instead, the commission – which handles Legco’s administrative matters – decided to reach a settlement with conditions, with Nathan Law Kwun-chung, “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung, Lau Siu-lai and Edward Yiu Chung-yim.
Andrew Leung said the commission had considered various factors, including the likelihood of it recovering the full amount and the legal costs of doing so.
“According to the preliminary estimate, the legal cost might amount to over HK$10 million,” said Andrew Leung. “The commission agreed that the public money must be used prudently.”
The quartet are now required to return the advance of the operating funds and certain prepaid expenses – ranging from HK$190,000 to HK$310,000 each – alongside the capital items purchased, such as mobile phones and laptop computers.