Ip became a controversial figure for her role advocating the passage of the national security legislation to implement Hong Kong Basic Law Article 23, and after this legislation was withdrawn, she became the first principal official to resign from the administration of Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa.
Ip menjadi figur yang kontroversial karena perannya mengadvokasikan legislasi untuk implementasi Artikel Hukum Dasar Hong Kong 23, dan setelah legislasi ini dicanangkan, ia menjadi pejabat prinsipal pertama sampai mengundurkan diri dari administrasi Ketua Eksekutif Tung Chee-hwa.