They may have to repay around HK$11 million in salaries and expenses, on top of a legal bill of up to HK$7 million
The four lawmakers disqualified on Friday over their oath antics could face claims by the Legislative Council for the return of up to HK$11 million in salary and allowances, plus up to HK$7 million in legal fees.
But Legco may exercise discretion and only require them to repay part of their salaries, unlike the pro-independence duo Sixtus Baggio Leung Chung-hang and Yau Wai-ching, who need to repay all their salaries plus advanced payments to set up their offices after being disqualified in November for their insincere oaths.
Hong Kong pan-democrats slam disqualification ruling, accuse government of ‘rewriting election results’
The pair were barred from council meetings in October after Legco president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen ruled their oaths invalid.
But the four disqualified on Friday – “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung, Lau Siu-lai, Edward Yiu Chung-yim and Nathan Law Kwun-chung – have taken part and voted in meetings for nine months.
“The legal advisers will study the verdict and the secretariat will calculate the amount involved, ” Andrew Leung said. “As public money was involved, we must handle with care.”
He said the arrangement would be discussed in the Legislative Council commission.
