Justice David Lok, the independent committee’s chairman, outside City Gallery in Central, where the hearing is being held. Photo: Jelly Tse

    Tai Po fire hearing: committee chairman says ‘good progress’ made

    This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. An independent committee investigating the cause of Hong Kong’s deadliest inferno in decades is expected to conclude its first round of evidential hearings on Thursday, with the role of the property management firm at…

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    Hong Kong’s ICAC charges 5 over alleged building renovation bribery scheme

      Hong Kong’s ICAC charges 5 over alleged building renovation bribery scheme

      Hong Kong’s anti-corruption watchdog has charged five people over alleged bribes – including casino chips and red packets – offered to flat owners and owner corporation members during large-scale renovation projects, worth about HK$90 million (US$11.5 million), at three housing estates. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on Wednesday disclosed details of its crackdown on…

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      Government rejects suggestions surveyor conspired with contractor

        Government rejects suggestions surveyor conspired with contractor

        A lawyer for the Hong Kong government has rejected “groundless” assertions that its surveyors conspired with a renovation contractor at the centre of the city’s deadliest fire in decades to conceal flammable materials used at the site, suggesting the firm did not have enough time to plan a deception before a crucial inspection. But Jenkin…

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        21 Wang Fuk Court homeowners, residents to give evidence in fire probe

          21 Wang Fuk Court homeowners, residents to give evidence in fire probe

          An independent committee set up to investigate Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades has named 14 members of Wang Fuk Court’s former owners’ corporation management group and seven residents as “involved parties” to give evidence at its hearings. The seven were among a list of 37 involved parties published on Tuesday by the committee ahead…

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          Government defends estate administrator’s absence at Tai Po fire hearing

            Government defends estate administrator’s absence at Tai Po fire hearing

            The provisional administrator of the housing estate ravaged by Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades will attend hearings of the independent committee “as necessary” to represent the “common interests” of the owners’ corporation, the city’s home affairs chief has said amid criticisms that displaced residents lack legal representation in the probe. Secretary for Home and…

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