The party said in a statement that its central committee has accepted their resignations, effective from May 27.

Party chairperson Kin-hei said he respects the couple's decision and thanked them for their contributions to the party and Hong Kong society.

Former lawmaker Lee, and his wife - a former district councilor, moved to the United Kingdom last year.

The 66-year-old politician and pro-democracy activist served as a lawmaker for multiple terms between 1991 and 2012. He replaced Albert Ho as the chairperson of the Democratic Party from 2004 to 2006.

In 2019, he was found guilty of inciting others to commit public nuisance during the pro-democracy Occupy protests in 2014 and was given a suspended jail sentence.