Former task force member under police watchdog slams decision to postpone interim report on officers’ handling of Hong Kong protests, suggesting political motives

Lisa Lau, who left the Independent Police Complaints Council in December after her term expired, argues that ongoing legal challenge should not hinder disclosure

She laments watchdog’s lack of investigative power over Yuen Long attacks, saying incident remains a ‘scar’ on the force

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Lisa Lau says she feels for frontline officers, but if the force has made mistakes, these should be properly investigated and made known. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 10:00am, 4 Feb 2020Updated: 10:00am, 4 Feb 2020

A former task force member of Hong Kong’s police watchdog has slammed its decision to postpone an interim report on officers’ handling of anti-government protests, suggesting the move was politically motivated.

Lisa Lau Man-man, who was part of a four-person group under the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) leading a fact-finding study, said she had worked to release its first report despite being “well aware” that there was an ongoing legal challenge.

Lau stepped down on December 31 last year when her term expired after six years with the watchdog.

She urged the IPCC to publish the report out of public interest, arguing there was no legal conflict. “The review has never stopped just because of the judicial challenge lodged,” Lau told the Post in a recent interview.

In October, a legal challenge was lodged by social worker Hendrick Lui Chi-hang against the IPCC investigation, with the court allowing the bid in December. Lui had argued the watchdog did not have the power to conduct the probe.