Police are investigating a traffic accident in Sheung Shui in which a 25-year-old motorcyclist was killed.

Around 6pm on July 2, a truck driven by a 51-year-old man reportedly hit the motorcycle near Wo Hop Shek while travelling along Fanling Highway towards Sheung Shui. 

The motorcyclist suffered chest injuries and was sent to Prince of Wales Hospital.

Witnesses should call 3661 3800.

Director of Public Prosecutions Kevin Zervos has refuted claims that Melody Chan's prosecution is political, and says the defendant caused the time lapse.

Although she told the media after her court hearing that she had never avoided Police, the Department of Justice said this was contrary to facts to which she has admitted in open court, and it is in the public interest to set the record straight.

Mr Zervos made the point in court that Police tried to contact the defendant throughout 2012 and 2013, and that the time taken in bringing this prosecution resulted from the defendant avoiding Police. Ms Chan nor her counsel disputed the submission in court.

As Mr Zervos made clear previously and confirmed in court, Police acted in accordance with the legal advice given in December 2011.

The director has agreed to deal with Ms Chan's case by way of a bind over, given the case's circumstances.

He accepted Ms Chan's remorse as expressed previously in written submissions her lawyers put forward, stating the incident had "brought home to her the serious consequences of breaking the law" and that she realised she had to "face up to the consequences of her action".

Mr Zervos stressed the defendant is not being ‘let off,’ as she must give an undertaking to be on good behaviour for a 12-month period, during which a breach is liable for up to six months’ imprisonment.

The defendant and all citizens of Hong Kong enjoy the right to peaceful and lawful demonstration, though people should also respect each others’ rights and abide by the law, Mr Zervos said.

Chief Secretary Carrie Lam says it is not appropriate to give priority to retired judges or retired public officers in appointing a Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption as that would bar the inclusion of other talented people.

Replying to a question from legislator Kenneth Leung today, she said the Chief Executive strictly adheres to Basic Law requirements in handling the ICAC Commissioner's appointment.

Under the Basic Law, the Chief Executive makes nominations for the appointment of all principal officials, including the ICAC Commissioner, and reports to the Central People's Government, she said. The Basic Law stipulates that Hong Kong’s principal officials must be Chinese citizens who are Hong Kong permanent residents, with no right of abode in foreign countries, who have resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of 15 years or more.

“We consider that it is not necessary to have other requirements in addition to those set out under the Basic Law,” Mrs Lam added.

Credentials, experiences and abilities as well as personal integrity are also the bases for appointing an ICAC Commissioner, so that the commission can exercise its statutory functions effectively and uphold Hong Kong's core value of probity and fairness, she added.

On matters relating to the former commissioner's handling of expenses on official entertainment, bestowal of gifts and duty visits during his term of office which has given rise to community concerns, Mrs Lam reiterated that the Government attaches great importance to the incident and is handling it seriously to maintain public confidence. 

The Government also understands that the public attaches great importance to the ICAC’s work and has a high expectation of its staff members' personal integrity, in particular that of the senior management.

In May, the Chief Executive announced the establishment of an independent committee to review the ICAC's regulatory systems and procedures for handling expenses on official entertainment, gifts and duty visits, including arrangements for application, reimbursement and approval. It will also review how ICAC staff of all ranks complied with regulatory systems and procedures during the former commissioner's term. It will make recommendations on any measure that may improve the ICAC's systems and procedures.

The committee will submit its report to the Chief Executive within four months. It will also be released to the public, except any parts which may need to be dealt with separately for legal reasons, Mrs Lam said.

She also noted that the regulatory post-office employment and business arrangements for an outgoing ICAC Commissioner are comparable to those applicable to politically appointed officials.

Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Raymond Tam said the Government must strike a balance between protecting individual privacy rights and press freedom.

In response to a lawmaker’s question today, Mr Tam said Article 30 of the Basic Law protects Hong Kong residents’ freedom and privacy of communication.

No department or individual may infringe upon these, except when authorities inspect communication according to legal procedures for public security purposes or to investigate criminal offences, he said.

The Interception of Communications & Surveillance Ordinance regulates law enforcement agencies’ lawful communications interception and covert surveillance operations, which require prior authorisation from a panel judge or a designated authorising officer.

On regulating non-public officers, he noted Sections 24 and 27 of the Telecommunications Ordinance prohibit message interception, while computer hacking is covered by Section 161 of the Crimes Ordinance.

The Government will also consider the need for further privacy protection on the basis of existing laws, while considering press freedom concerns.

Hong Kong-based private equity firm Boyu Capital is planning to raise its second fund during the second half of this year with a target size of $1.5 billion, according to media reports. The firm's first fund of $1 billion closed in 2011 with backings f…