A newspaper editor responsible for an unprecedented attack on the Judiciary was sent back to jail yesterday when top judges ruled the right of free speech could not protect him from punishment.
Wong Yeung-ng, 46, former chief editor of the Oriental Daily News, wanted the Court of Final Appeal to consider his claim that the newspaper's 'shocking' campaign did not amount to a criminal act.
But permission for the appeal to proceed further was refused, by a majority of two judges to one.
Mr Justice Henry Litton said the right of free speech, protected by the Basic Law, was subject to restrictions.
'Every civilised community is entitled to protect itself from malicious conduct aimed at undermining the total administration of justice. It is an important aspect of the preservation of the rule of law.' Where the person responsible 'goes way beyond reasoned criticism of the judicial system and acts in bad faith, as the appellant has in this case, the guarantee of free speech cannot protect him from punishment', the judge said.
Claims that Wong had been the victim of a grave injustice were absurd, he said.
He added that the sentence of four months imprisonment which the former editor must serve for contempt of court 'appears extremely lenient'.
