Hong Kong official makes declarations vow amid reports his barrister son is representing a man accused of attempted rape after attending hotpot dinner

Hong Kong’s civil service chief has said he will comply with rules on declaring interests following media reports his barrister son is representing a man charged with attempted rape after attending a controversial hotpot dinner with three senior security officials.

Asked to confirm if his son was hired by the accused, a mainland Chinese businessman, Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip Tak-kuen would only say he would continue to make the necessary declarations to the government to avoid any potential conflict of interest.

“When I received a media inquiry on Thursday, that was the first time I had heard of such information,” he told reporters on Sunday.

“I have reported it to the chief executive, and will continue to make the necessary declarations under the mechanism for political appointees and Executive Council members. I cannot see any so-called conflict of interest.”

In his first public response to the speculation, Nip said he would not discuss work matters with his family.

The minister added he refused to comment on cases subject to the judicial process, while professionals such as lawyers did not disclose ones they were involved in.

The hotpot scandal engulfing Commissioner of Customs and Excise Hermes Tang Yi-hoi, Director of Immigration Au Ka-wang and Undersecretary for Security Sonny Au Chi-kwong came to light earlier this month and remains firmly in the spotlight.