Political storm over controversial Hong Kong extradition bill set to escalate as pro-government lawmakers consider bypassing committee stage
- Pro-government lawmakers considering an unprecedented move to bypass normal vetting procedures
- Sources say the most extreme situation could see the bill being sent straight to the full council for debate and a vote
The political storm over a contentious extradition bill is set to escalate with pro-government lawmakers considering an unprecedented move to bypass normal vetting procedures to speed up its passage, the Post has learned.
The strategy was floated after the government expressed “utmost regret” over the “uncontrollable” disorder at a Legislative Council committee meeting on the bill on Saturday, when clashes between rival camps ended with at least four lawmakers claiming they were injured.
The meeting was adjourned before a chairman could be elected to begin scrutiny of the bill, which would allow a case-by-case transfer of fugitives to places Hong Kong lacks an extradition deal with, including mainland China and Taiwan.
Two sources familiar with the thinking of the pro-establishment camp said the bloc would likely take the matter out of the bills committee’s hands entirely by dissolving it or bypassing it, if the next meeting on Tuesday descended into further chaos.
“Tuesday’s meeting will be the pro-democracy camp’s last chance,” one source said.