Two localist ex-lawmakers lose bid before Court of Final Appeal

Two former opposition lawmakers Leung Chung-hang and Yau Wai-ching have been denied leave to appeal their disqualifications from sitting as Hong Kong legislators.

The city's Court of Final Appeal threw out the application on Friday, upholding the previous ruling by Court of First Instance last November.

Their earlier appeal was rejected by Court of Appeal in January.

The two were disqualified from public office for violating the Basic Law in the SAR and the local ordinance concerning the oath-taking process when assuming office.

While being sworn-in last October, Leung and Yau made a mockery of the Legislative Council oath, which requires the oath-taker to pledge allegiance to the country and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The lower courts followed the interpretation of the Hong Kong SAR's Basic Law by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Nov 7, 2016, specifying that the oath must be recited as written and in a sincere manner.

Leung and Yau also face demands by the Legislative Council for repayment of a total of HK$1.86 million in wages and allowances they had drawn.

carrieqiu@chinadailyhk.com