Bomb plot rattles nerves across Hong Kong, but lawmakers play down threat from National Independent Party

Politicians across the board expressed concern yesterday about the arrests of activists over the alleged bomb plot, as pan-democrats distanced themselves from the pro-independence group involved and joined pro-establishment lawmakers in condemning violence.

News of the plot prompted some to ask aloud if the polarising debate on political reform had taken another troubling turn with potentially damaging consequences for Hong Kong's reputation.

Yet others said the arrests showed Hong Kong authorities had acted swiftly and that the city remained safe.

Steve Vickers, a private investigator specialising in investigating organised crime in the city, said: "We should look very carefully and calmly at this case before we afford this incident too much priority or seek to amend the Hong Kong threat profile, which is justifiably low."

His view was echoed by former security minister Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee. "A single incident doesn't mean we are a target for terrorist attacks," Ip said.

The low profile and seemingly disorganised nature of the National Independent Party - with which at least one of those arrested was affiliated, according to a police source - raised questions among pan-democrats about how much of a threat it posed.