Former ICAC chief Timothy Tong brought friends to official meals

Scandal-hit former graft-buster chief Timothy Tong Hin-ming admitted for the first time yesterday that he took personal friends to business meals paid for with public money.

Under questioning by lawmakers at his third and final appearance before the Legislative Council's public accounts committee, Tong also admitted that he had received a gift of a traditional Chinese screen worth as much as HK$200,000 from mainland judicial officials in 2007. It was still in ICAC headquarters when he stepped down last year.

The former Independent Commission Against Corruption chief also confirmed he bought about 1,000 bottles of alcohol during his five years in charge.

Independent lawmaker Paul Tse Wai-chun asked Tong if he had taken former assistant immigration director Dr Helen Chan Wing-mui - widely reported to be his girlfriend - and tycoon friend Bill Wong Cho-bau to receptions paid for by public money.

Tse suggested he may have taken Chan to such functions as many as 10 times. Tong replied: "To my recollection, there were not many times. But I have done it before. I dare not say if there were five times. I don't know."

He admitted work-related issues were discussed on these occasions, saying Wong had once given him some ideas on how to film a promotional video for the ICAC. He failed to explain why he had treated Chan to meals.

Tong said he only remembered paying his friends' bill at a restaurant once.