Hong Kong: Carrie Lam says extradition bill is 'dead' but will not withdraw it

Leader calls legislation 'total failure' but will not give in to demands for formal withdrawal

Hong Kong's leader, Carrie Lam, has said a controversial extradition bill that has caused weeks of political crisis is "dead", but has held back from completely withdrawing it.

"There is no such plan. The bill is dead," the chief executive said at a press conference on Tuesday. Lam said she felt "heartbroken" over the conflict caused by the proposed law, which she described as a "total failure".