Discussions take aim at party chief Lee Wing-tat
The Democratic Party is taking urgent action after the discovery on the internet of confidential e-mail exchanges criticising party leaders.
The e-mails, accessible in a blog under the name 'real brother', are believed to be private discussions taking aim at party chairman Lee Wing-tat and other senior leaders among the so-called reformist camp.
The exchanges, including challenges to Mr Lee's handling of alleged infiltration of the party by mainland authorities, and other personnel disputes, circulated among the party's members last week.
The party said it suspected infiltration by mainland authorities after two members were offered money by mainland figures. There has also been a mysterious increase in membership applications recently.
Mr Lee yesterday declined to comment.
Party secretary-general Cheung Ying-tung, who is heading a taskforce investigating the infiltration claim, said he would try to ascertain the validity of the e-mails' content first.