I will defend press freedom but not allow advocacy of Hong Kong independence, city leader Carrie Lam says amid row over visa for British Financial Times journalist
Chief executive dismisses as ‘pure speculation’ suggestion Victor Mallet was rejected over his role in talk given by separatist leader
Hong Kong’s leader on Tuesday promised to defend press freedom but warned she would not tolerate independence advocacy as her administration continued to take flak over its refusal to renew a British journalist’s work visa.
The Financial Times issued a statement on Tuesday saying it would appeal against the Immigration Department’s decision “in the absence of an explanation from the Hong Kong authorities”.
Under the Immigration Ordinance, an appeal can be taken to the chief executive and her cabinet, the Executive Council, who can “confirm, vary or reverse” the decision.
However, lodging an appeal does not give Mallet the right to remain in the city, which could mean the veteran journalist would have to leave before Sunday.
As the uproar has grown, voices have spoken up around the globe against the decision. In a rare move on Tuesday, Britain's Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt branded the incident “politically motivated” and called on the Hong Kong government to reconsider its decision to reject Mallet's visa renewal application.