Zervos vs Cross: legal eagles clash over ICAC's probe of Donald Tsang

Retired prosecution chief Grenville Cross has rounded on the "hands-off" approach taken by the man currently in the post towards the ICAC's 18-month investigation of former chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen.

In a media letter, Cross, director of public prosecutions from 1997 to 2009, said Kevin Zervos should wrap up the case before he retires on September 8.

Zervos hit back by saying that the Independent Commission Against Corruption's investigation of Tsang was "near completion" and describing Cross as "out of touch".

Cross wrote: "It is exactly 1½ years since Donald Tsang's case was first referred to the ICAC, and there has still been no announcement by the Department of Justice on whether or not he will be prosecuted, which is incredible.

"It is damaging to the standing of the legal system, which is supposed to ensure that criminal investigations are processed expeditiously and do not simply disappear into outer space."

Tsang was embroiled in several scandals before his term ended last year. He admitted enjoying two holiday trips on private jets and two on yachts while in office. He also failed to declare plans to lease a Shenzhen penthouse from mainland tycoon Bill Wong Cho-bau at a bargain rent.

Cross drew comparisons with recent investigations involving Executive Council members - Barry Cheung Chun-yuen's case took three months to clear, while that of Franklin Lam Fan-keung took nine months.