Another day, another war of words

Regina Ip says more amendments will be made to the security law - and then takes swipe at 'impolite' lawmaker

The Legco Bills Committee's scrutiny of the national security legislation yesterday turned into a war of words, with the security chief refusing to answer questions from a democrat after accusing him of being 'emotional, impolite and not following the rules'.

The exchange came when legislators had finished discussing the amendments proposed by pro-democracy legislators and the Article 23 Concern Group, which urged the deletion of clauses deemed to curb civil liberties.

Although Secretary for Security Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said the lawmakers' amendments - including the use of 'public interest' as a defence in disclosure of confidential information to ensure freedom of the press - were unnecessary, she said further minor amendments would be made.

They included making it clear in the bill that members of groups banned under national security grounds would be able to seek a judicial review despite the fact that they might be seen as office-bearers of a proscribed group.

Mrs Ip also promised to consider whether there would be any scope for shortening the three-year time limit for prosecution on handling seditious publications under the draft bill, which seeks to ban acts of treason, subversion and theft of state secrets based on Article 23 of the Basic Law.