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Role of top prosecutor in Hong Kong to be filled by deputy director following chief’s resignation
- Senior counsel William Tam was made acting director ‘for administrative convenience’ on New Year’s Eve, according to the government gazette
- David Leung left the post last month after tendering his resignation in July following a leaked email which revealed his rift with secretary for justice
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A senior deputy director of public prosecutions in Hong Kong has been appointed to the top job in an acting capacity following the resignation of David Leung Cheuk-yin after a dispute with the justice minister over the running of the division.
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Senior counsel William Tam Yiu-ho, 52, who joined the Department of Justice in 1994, was made acting director of public prosecutions “for administrative convenience” on New Year’s Eve, according to the government gazette.
Tam, an alumnus of Melbourne’s Monash University, had been among the favourites for the top post back in 2017, when Leung landed the role. He is the last remaining senior counsel in the prosecutions division.
The appointment came to light on Friday after reports of his change of title surfaced. A Department of Justice spokesman later clarified it was a temporary appointment gazetted on Thursday.
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Former director of public prosecutions Grenville Cross noted that Tam would be acting in the role until March 31.
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