The row over security during Vice-Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Hong Kong deepened yesterday as lawmakers and students rejected an account given by Police Commissioner Andy Tsang Wai-hung and said he should resign if it was found he was not telling the truth.
Tsang was asked to explain two incidents which some lawmakers say have raised questions about authorities' respect for freedom of expression during the high-ranking Beijing official's visit to the city.
During the meeting, which ended with a lawmaker throwing a T-shirt into Tsang's face, security panel lawmakers also questioned his explanation of police officers' actions.
Responding to criticism of police blocking a Now TV camera during an arrest at Laguna City in Lam Tin on August 16, Tsang said the officer had reacted out of 'basic instinct' when he saw a 'black object' and had stopped his action as soon as he realised it was a journalist's camera.
The police chief also said three students detained at the University of Hong Kong on August 18 had sworn at police and campus security guards and that officers had only been helping the university to prevent them from entering a secure area.
But Now TV said it had footage that would show Tsang's remarks regarding these incidents were 'against facts', and Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Wing-tat said the police chief's claims were untrustworthy.
'He appeared to be making things up to cover police mistakes,' said Lee. 'If Tsang is found to be lying, he should resign.'