Police were called during Wednesday’s meeting at the Legislative Council after at least three security guards were taken away in ambulances during scenes of chaos. Youngspiration’s Yau Wai-Ching and Baggio Leung Chung-hang had attempted to barge into a meeting after they were barred from entering to re-take their oaths as lawmakers.
HKFP_Live: Injuries and turmoil at Hong Kong’s legislature as Youngspiration duo barge into chamber
The pro-Beijing camp called the police for assistance.
Pro-democracy lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung criticised pro-Beijing lawmakers for making a “very severe” decision without justification.
#LegCo president suspends meeting once again owing to clashes outside the conference room. HKFP_Live: https://t.co/PesW7KlSM5 #hongkong pic.twitter.com/fQjOPuVX7b
— Hong Kong Free Press (@HongKongFP) November 2, 2016
Pro-Beijing Starry Lee, who admitted to playing a part in the decision to call the police, said that at least four security guards were injured and that at least three needed to be sent to the hospital.
“We offer our sincere condolences and hope that they recover soon,” Lee said.
Lee added that she was extremely disappointed by the Youngspiration lawmaker’s attempt to barge into the meeting. She said that some of those involved may have committed an offence.
Lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung said that Yau and Baggio Leung were elected by popular vote, and that police should not be called to interfere in the legislature’s internal affairs.
The lawmaker added that all that Yau and Leung were asking was whether they could retake their oaths in order to fulfil their duties as lawmakers.
“We do not want to hurt any security guard or anyone who [is] now working in the chamber, including all media. This is not our aim,” said Baggio Leung.
Yau Wai-ching said: “Our only aim is to enter into the chamber, but the fact is the president won’t let us in.”
Legislative Council President Andrew Leung suspended the meeting to next Wednesday. Earlier, independent localist lawmaker Lau Siu-lai completed a second oath successfully.
On Thursday, a judicial review related to the oaths will be heard at the High Court. Reports suggest that Beijing may intervene to issue an interpretation of Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law.
