Hong Kong fires back after U.K. judge warns of 'totalitarian' turn

Chief Executive John Lee accuses Britain of 'weaponizing' judicial influence

The Court of Final Appeal in Hong Kong. A British judge has followed his recent resignation from the court with sharp criticism of what he sees as the erosion of judicial independence, sparking a war of words with the government. (Photo by Kenji Kawase)

JAMES HAND-CUKIERMAN and PEGGY YE, Nikkei staff writers

June 11, 2024 13:19 JST

Updated on June 11, 2024 15:41 JST

TOKYO/HONG KONG -- Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee fired back on Tuesday after a British former top court judge published a stinging criticism of the erosion of judicial independence in the city.

"Some U.K. officials and politicians try to weaponize the U.K. judicial influence to target China and Hong Kong," Lee told reporters at his weekly briefing. "We should not allow it to happen."