HK politician in prostitute claim

By Chris Hogg
BBC correspondent in Hong Kong

Mr Ho will be disqualified if he is still in jail on polling day

A candidate from Hong Kong's largest democracy party has been arrested and jailed for six months in mainland China, accused of hiring a prostitute.

Ho Wai-to is contesting a closely fought seat in legislative elections next month.

The Democratic Party is due to meet Hong Kong's security secretary later on Tuesday to ask him to investigate the matter.

Mr Ho was travelling on business in the Chinese province of Guangdong when he was arrested.

His wife told his colleagues in the Democratic Party that police stormed into his room, forced him into the bathroom and beat him up.

Local police reject this accusation.

'Framed'

When he came out of the bathroom, there was a woman standing in the bedroom and officers were filming the incident, Mr Ho's wife said.

He was then taken to a police station where he was reportedly asked to sign a confession - which he initially rejected.

He is said to have relented and signed the confession after being denied food, and has now been jailed for six months.

Mrs Ho says her husband insists he is innocent.

She is standing by him and claims he has been framed.

In China, anyone convicted of hiring a prostitute can be jailed for up to two years, but reports say a fine is a more usual penalty.

Under election rules in Hong Kong, Mr Ho will be disqualified as a candidate if he is serving a jail term on polling day.

The seat he is contesting is expected to be the most closely fought in the former British colony.

Pro-democracy candidates have been predicted to make a strong showing in the election next month.