Response to Statement by Bar Association on HK Standard case

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The following statement is issued by the Secretary for Justice, Ms Elsie Leung in response to the Bar Association which has stated that the Department of Justice should not take into account political or personal considerations:

"We agree that political considerations should not be taken into account, and they are not. However, established prosecution principles make it clear that certain personal considerations can be properly taken into account, for example, youth, old age and infirmity, mental illness or strain are all listed as relevant factors.

"I have made it abundantly clear that political considerations and personal connections were not factors in my decision not to prosecute Ms Sally Aw. Suggestions that this was the case were entirely speculative and unfounded. They are no basis for seeking a second opinion from independent counsel."

End/Friday, February 5, 1999

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