Ex-ICAC boss to be grilled over HK$100,000 dinner

Former ICAC chief Timothy Tong Hin-ming spent HK$100,000 of public money on a reception at The Peak in one of two lavish dinners he will face questions over in the Legislative Council today.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption confirmed the details in a written reply to the Legislative Council's Public Accounts Committee, before which Tong will testify today.

It will be the former ICAC commissioner's first public appearance since the scandal emerged last month over his spending on entertaining mainland officials during his tenure.

His successor, Simon Peh Yun-lu, and four senior officers responsible for administration and community relations, will also attend. Tong is accused of spending big on receptions, gifts and duty visits, some of them involving mainland officials.

Today, the committee will focus on two dinners hosted by Tong and revealed in an audit report last month as exceeding the expenses cap. The committee earlier submitted 20 questions to the ICAC to clarify key points in the audit report. The ICAC said one of the meals in the audit report cost HK$100,000 and was held at The Peak Lookout restaurant on December 8, 2011. It was for a global anti-corruption video contest, and 110 people attended.

Legco's security panel and a review committee appointed by Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying will also look into the claims, and the ICAC launched a criminal probe. Lin Wu, of Beijing's liaison office, did not say if it will co-operate with the ICAC probe.