Disqualification could cost Hong Kong lawmakers up to HK$18m
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
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.
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. However, a special meeting has yet to be scheduled as the council session will end next week and some members will be absent on an overseas Legco visit.
