Hong Kong lawmaker William Wong resigns from Legislative Council after drink driving arrest

Legislator William Wong has stepped down as a lawmaker following his arrest on Monday over an alleged drink driving incident.

William Wong. Photo: William Wong, via Facebook.

His resignation was announced in a Friday statement by Legislative Council (LegCo) President Starry Lee, who said she respected Wong’s decision and thanked him for his service.

Wong told local media outlets on Friday he had stepped down from the “patriots only” LegCo effective immediately, and that he was sorry for bringing “trouble” to society.

He said that he decided to resign so as not to affect the work of the LegCo.

Wong’s resignation came as the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), where he was an associate dean at the engineering faculty, said earlier on Friday that it had suspended Wong.

It is the first time during this legislative term that a lawmaker has resigned.

Four offences

The 66-year-old was apprehended on Monday night after allegedly hitting two parked cars outside a residential hall on the CUHK campus.

Wong left the scene after the accident, police said, but later returned.

The Legislative Council complex in Hong Kong. Photo: Kelly Ho/HKFP.

He was arrested on suspicion of four offences, including drink driving, careless driving, failing to stop after a traffic accident, and failing to report a traffic accident.

Wong did not respond to an HKFP request for comment earlier this week. He told online media outlet Kinliu on Thursday that he felt things were “chaotic” and he had “reflected” on his mistakes.

Local media reported that in 2015, a man with the same Chinese and English name as Wong was convicted of drink driving. Wong declined to comment when asked if he had committed the offence in 2015, according to local media reports.

Drink driving in Hong Kong is punishable by up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of HK$25,000.