Executive Council convenor Lam Woon-kwong will stay as head of the government's top advisory body but stand down as chairman of the Equal Opportunities Commission when his term ends in January to end concerns about the independence of the equalities watchdog, he announced yesterday.
Lam - under fire in some quarters since being named as part of the Exco team two weeks ago, amid concerns about a possible conflict of interest - had previously said he would quit Exco if he decided to stand down from one of his two jobs.
His decision to retain both roles was condemned as 'the worst [possible] outcome' by two EOC members yesterday, while one rights groups said it would be reluctant to work with the commission while Lam remained its head.
Lam admitted yesterday that the public might perceive the EOC's independence as being weakened if he stayed in both roles for a sustained period of time, but he said it would be irresponsible of him to quit either post abruptly when the chance of a conflict arising was minimal.
'I have therefore decided that I should carry on with both jobs, for the remaining term of my current [EOC] contract, which ends at the end of January next year', Lam said at a press conference yesterday.
'For the next six months, I will continue to carry out my duties ... and be vigilant to avoid any real or perceived conflicts in serving my dual role.'