Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui resigns over 'party-gate'

Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui Ying-wai has tendered his resignation, hours before the government is set to announce results of a disciplinary investigation into officials' attendance of a birthday party. 

He tendered his resignation to the Chief Executive on Monday and intended to leave the post on the same day. 

"As one of the principal officials taking the lead in the anti-epidemic fight, I have not set the best example during the recent outbreak. I made the wrong decision to attend a banquet on January 3 and behaved in an inappropriate manner when all efforts should have been devoted to controlling the spread of the virus," he wrote.

"I will take responsibility for my actions, and I have therefore decided to resign from the position of Secretary for Home Affairs."

Tsui said he was grateful for the opportunity to join the government and serve Hong Kongers. He also thanked the Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, his colleagues and friends from various sectors for their support and guidance.

The final report of a disciplinary investigation looking into Tsui’s attendance at a Covid-hit birthday party is set to be released on Monday, according to sources.

Tsui was among 15 top government officials who attended the 53rd birthday party of Witman Hung Wai-man, principal liaison officer for Hong Kong at the Shenzhen Qianhai Authority and a Hong Kong deputy to the National People's Congress, on January 3 at a Wan Chai restaurant amid the local outbreak of the highly infectious Covid-19 Omicron variant.

Chief Executive Lam had earlier ordered the probe - led by the director of the chief executive's office, Eric Chan Kwok-ki, and Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip Tak-kuen.

Tsui has been suspended from duty pending the completion of the probe, while other officials already resumed duties.

On Monday, Tsui’s Facebook page has been deactivated and could not be searched online.

Sing Tao Daily, the sister publication of The Standard, reported that the probe has revealed the home affairs chief violating the city’s Covid rules during the party.

It was understood that Lam has filed a report to the Central Government over Tsui’s wrongdoings and proposed relevant disciplinary actions, which was subsequently approved.

Tsui will be leaving his post anyway, be it a resignation or sacking, according to Sing Tao.