Edison leaves HK after police investigations

A week after apologising for his role in the celebrity sex-photos scandal, Edison Chen Koon-hei left Hong Kong yesterday as police ended their inquiries with him.

A statement from his lawyer said Chen wished to inform members of the media that he had given full and helpful co-operation to the police in the past few days since returning to the city to explain his role in the controversy.

'The Hong Kong police have informed Mr Chen, through his legal counsel, that the request from the police for Mr Chen's assistance has concluded ... and that no further assistance is required of him in the immediate future,' the statement added.

There had been media speculation that Chen would face a criminal investigation for his role in the scandal, and suggestions that the case involved more than pictures being stolen from his computer.

Last night, police said they had obtained the information they needed at this stage. 'Police need time to follow up the information. The case is still being investigated,' a police spokesman said.

Chen's management company confirmed he had left Hong Kong but declined to reveal his whereabouts.

The beleaguered star returned from the United States last Thursday, weeks after the scandal broke. He admitted he had taken the pictures of female celebrities engaging in sex acts with him that had been circulated on the internet around the world.