My Take | A sense of entitlement is not a free pass to break the rules

The presence of officials at social events that conflict with antivirus efforts has sparked scandals in Hong Kong and Britain in recent weeks. They have given the term “political party” a new meaning. Respective investigations came to a head last week. The Hong Kong affair cost a minister his job. In Britain, the prime minister is battling to stay in office.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced the results of a probe into 15 officials attending a big birthday party for Witman Hung Wai-man, a local delegate to the National People’s Congress. Two guests later tested positive for Covid-19.

Home affairs chief Caspar Tsui Ying-wai tendered his resignation shortly before findings were revealed. The minister might feel he is the fall guy. The departure of a top official was needed to calm public anger. But the inquiry suggests he was the worst offender. Tsui spent two hours at the event and removed his mask. Incredibly, he did not even use the government’s LeaveHomeSafe App. These are flagrant breaches of the rules.

Tsui’s official role in combating Covid-19 sealed his fate. He had attended a crisis meeting on the day of the party as a fresh Omicron-fuelled outbreak loomed. The minister paid the ultimate price for his cavalier approach.

Only two other officials were sanctioned, receiving a verbal warning. One stayed at the party for four hours and was too drunk to recall if he kept his mask on. The other delayed compliance with a compulsory testing order until after returning to work.

Those who wore masks and spent only a brief time at the event, including the police and immigration chiefs, were not found to have breached the disciplinary code.

Whether these measures will be sufficient to draw a line under the affair remains to be seen. There are still questions to be answered. The report submitted to the chief executive has not been made public. It is not known what sanction was recommended for Tsui.