Sources said that official is Sha Tin District Office Assistant District Officer James Lam Fong-tat. In a reply to The Standard, the Home Affairs Department said it is looking into the matter.

Lam was arrested for permitting a premise to be used for prostitution for allegedly making the hotel room bookings. He has been released on bail pending further investigation.

Officers raided a hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui yesterday (Wed) to crack down the high-end escort prostitution ring. All five arrestees including Lam were either the key members or masterminds of the syndicate.

The other four reportedly included a piano teacher, a female model, a construction worker and a salesperson.

They were arrested for living on earnings of prostitution of others and are now remanded in police custody.