Reason for Financial Times journalist Victor Mallet’s Hong Kong visa denial to stay secret after Legco motion calling for explanation fails
- Pro-democracy lawmakers had called on city’s security minister to disclose rationale behind refusal of work permit for British editor Victor Mallet, but proposal is voted down 36 to 24
Hong Kong’s pro-establishment lawmakers on Thursday shot down a proposal to summon immigration officials to the legislature to explain their expulsion from the city of veteran British journalist Victor Mallet.
The Legislative Council rejected by 36 votes to 24 a motion that would have forced security minister John Lee Ka-chiu and the head of the Immigration Department to explain the decision last month not to renew Mallet’s visa.
Lee has been tight-lipped in the face of international calls to reveal the reasons behind the refusal, arguing that disclosure would undermine immigration controls and security.
On Thursday, in response to the Legco motion, he reiterated that the government would not comment on individual cases. Withholding reasons for visa refusals was common practice overseas, Lee said.
“We welcome talent from all over the world to come and work in Hong Kong ... But at the same time they have an obligation to comply with Hong Kong laws,” the minister said.
“It is incorrect to describe such a case as political or media suppression.”
