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Former ICAC chief Timothy Tong admits buying liquor for guests

The former ICAC commissioner tells a Legco inquiry that he signed off on the buying of strong spirits to entertain guests from the mainland

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Ex-graft-buster Timothy Tong testifies at Legco yesterday over the purchase of liquor during his time in charge of the ICAC. Photo: Felix Wong
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Troubled former chief graft-buster Timothy Tong Hin-ming admitted for the first time yesterday that he had approved the purchase of strong spirits for use at receptions.

Tong told lawmakers that buying different types of alcohol was necessary to meet different guests' needs at functions held by the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Without my signing, the purchases could not be done. So basically I approved these purchases

"Without my signing, the purchases could not be done. So basically I approved these purchases," he said, giving sworn evidence to the Legislative Council public accounts committee.

But the former ICAC commissioner said there were too many purchases for him to precisely recall whether they were initiated by him or suggested by other officers.

Tong was summoned to the hearing under the Power and Privileges Ordinance, meaning his answers cannot be used against him in legal proceedings.

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He was being questioned by committee member and legislator Wong Yuk-man over the purchase of spirits during his five-year tenure at the anti-corruption agency. Wong said the commission had never bought strong spirits before Tong took office in 2007.

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