Loss of memory 'a weak excuse'

THE Chief Justice's explanation that he had forgotten what he said to Xinhua's Mr Zhang was unacceptable, the Democratic Party's human rights spokesman Albert Ho Chun-yan said.

'It is not enough to give a wishy-washy answer,' he said.

If the Chief Justice did not make his position clear, the public would be inclined to believe Mr Zhang.

'Being in such a senior position and talking about such a politically sensitive subject, Sir Ti Liang could not have been careless with his remarks,' Mr Ho said.

Sir Ti Liang had to make his position clear because his job was to protect human rights in Hong Kong.

It was no excuse to say he did not want to be involved in political issues because he was already embroiled in a political row, Mr Ho said.