UpdateLawmakers To and Mo given HK$500,000 each by Jimmy Lai, leaked emails suggest

Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying gave HK$500,000 each to two pan-democratic lawmakers via his close aide Mark Simon according to more leaked emails - flatly contradicting their repeated denials.

Simon said his private email accounts had been repeatedly hacked, and that the culprits were trying to obstruct the democracy movement by destroying individual freedom and security.

More than 900 leaked files - which first emerged two weeks ago suggesting the media mogul donated millions to pan-democratic parties and individuals - have stirred a political storm.

Five lawmakers, who allegedly failed to declare such financial interests to the legislature, have been asked to provide an explanation to a Legislative Council committee by next week before it decides whether to investigate.

But the latest leaked emails suggest that money was donated to the Civic Party's Claudia Mo Man-ching and Democrat James To Kun-sun - the only two legislators who have repeatedly denied receiving funds.

An email dated May 2012 sent by the media mogul's secretary to Royston Chow Tat-kuen, deputy chief financial officer of Apple Daily publisher Next Media, suggested Lai's top aide, Mark Simon, had in April that year sent HK$500,000 each to Mo, ex-lawmaker Tanya Chan and To "to cover special project[s]".