The American defence contractor who says he leaked information on classified US surveillance programmes could benefit from a quirk in Hong Kong law that would ensure a lengthy battle to deport him.

Hong Kong’s pro-democracy opposition won 23 seats in the Chinese territory’s 60-member parliament, two fewer than in the last election but still enough to veto major legislation, final results showed today.

Hong Kong voted today in a closely watched legislative race viewed as a referendum on democracy.

HONG KONG plunged deeper into crisis yesterday after the resignations of two top Cabinet ministers added fuel to demands for democratic change and put further pressure on leader Tung Chee-hwa.