Panel not a rubber stamp: spy watchdog

The panel of three judges vetting spying applications from law enforcement agencies would not be a rubber stamp, the new commissioner on interception of communications and surveillance pledged yesterday.

Although he believed there was no conflict between his roles as commissioner and Court of Appeal vice-president, Justice Woo Kwok-hing said he would not handle court cases during the three years he serves as commissioner.

He also dismissed criticism that the appointment of three judges to the panel put judicial independence at risk. He said there was no better profession in the community to take up such posts.

'Judges help the public to keep an eye on them [law enforcement agents], so that they won't breach the law,' he said. 'This is the responsibility [of a judge]. Any judge can do that. One is unable to do the job if he isn't a judge. Otherwise, what does a judge do? We are not a rubber stamp. The profession of a judge has attached great importance to protecting the privacy rights of citizens.'

Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen last week appointed three judges - Pang Kin-kee, Azizul Suffiad and Andrew Chung On-tak - to the panel to consider applications for surveillance.

Mr Justice Woo, as commissioner, will oversee the implementation of the newly enacted covert surveillance legislation, monitor the panel's work and investigate complaints about its decisions, but will not be involved in its deliberations.