Richmond Centre MLA Hon Chan said he has no immediate plans to resign after being charged with offences related to intimate partner violence.
The B.C. Prosecution Service (BCPS) said Chan was charged last Wednesday with assault, assault by choking and uttering threats.
The provincial court file number related to the charges is a “K-file,” a designation used in cases of intimate partner violence.
The BCPS said a special prosecutor was appointed last June in relation to a Richmond RCMP investigation into the allegations against Chan.
Chan was at the legislature Monday and Tuesday to participate in the legislative assembly, sitting as an Independent.
“I did not know there was a special prosecutor until this month,” he told reporters Tuesday.
Chan said he was not contacted by police about the allegations prior to his election.
“I did not hide anything from my constituents. I did not hide anything from the party,” said Chan.
He did not respond to multiple questions about when he became aware of the police investigation, saying the matter is before the courts.
When asked if he planned to resign, Chan said, “not right now.”
Some NDP and Green MLAs have called for Chan to give up his seat.
Halford did not directly call for his resignation last week, saying that decision would be up to Chan.
Chan is due to appear in Richmond provincial court on April 22.
