The government has cancelled honours handed to former University of Hong Kong law professor Benny Tai and former Democratic Party lawmakers Yeung Sum and Sin Chung-kai.

In a gazette publication on Friday, the government said the striking of the three from its list of recipients of Honours and Awards took effect the same day. No reasons for the move were announced.

Tai, currently in prison and accused of violating the national security law, received a Medal of Honour in 2001.

The authorities back then had praised him for his "valuable contribution in the promotion of civic education, in particular in the Basic Law and human rights."

Yeung and Sin had been awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star.

The administration then explained that Yeung was honoured for his efforts in "promoting the welfare of the underprivileged and his constructive advice on livelihood issues" and acting as "an effective communication link between the community and the government."

Sin, meanwhile, was recognised for his "distinguished public and community service, particularly for his contribution to the development of information technology and promotion of wider IT adoption."

Both Yeung and Sin were earlier found guilty of taking part in unlawful assemblies in 2019, with Yeung jailed for 14 months and Sin given a suspended sentence.

The government also announced that it has revoked the pair's positions as Justices of the Peace, who are tasked with visiting those in custody and serving on advisory panels.

A former head of Pui Ching Middle School and former board chairman of Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service, Hopkins Chan, has also been stripped of his Justice of the Peace role.

Chan was found guilty of contempt of court and jailed for six weeks in 2020 for failing to provide his doctorate certificate and other documents after being accused of faking his academic qualifications.