CE John Lee on accountability over Wang Fuk Court fire

An independent committee is set to submit its report on the devastating Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po, which claimed 168 lives, to Chief Executive John Lee by the end of this month.

Following nearly 30 hearings and testimony from 80 witnesses, the report will examine the regulatory roles and responsibilities of government departments, professionals and contractors, though its terms of reference do not explicitly empower it to demand the resignation of accountable officials.

The government implemented a two-tier department head accountability system in July.

And when asked if the Tai Po inquiry committee has activated its second-tier probe, the city leader has not directly ahead of the Executive Council meeting this morning but said that the government has already made a series of preparations and will roll out comprehensive reforms with accountability measures shortly after reviewing the report's findings.

He previously announced seven priority reform measures, which include banning construction site smoking, tightening regulations on fire service installations, enhancing disciplinary punishments for professionals and contractors, improving homeowners' corporation compliance and studying the possibility to criminalise bid-rigging.