Kevin Sinclair's obituary on solicitor, politician and chief executive aspirant Lo Tak-shing was a reasonably balanced summation of this unique character's public life ('The man who tried, and failed, to be chief', December 12). What it failed to convey was how warm, good-humoured and open-minded Lo could be in private.
I was the managing editor of his political magazine Window for four years in the 1990s, and I remember him fondly as one of the most lively, entertaining and unpretentious - albeit sometimes quirky - people I have worked for. As the obituary reported, he may indeed have always thought he was right. Who doesn't? However, he always enjoyed a well-reasoned debate, and was willing to change his position if you could argue him round.
Like any good newsman, he relished a great story above all else. Unlike some other media owners, when he folded Window he ensured that employees were well treated and paid their due, even keeping the office open for a few weeks so that former staff had a base from which to chase new jobs.
Lo was a large man - physically, intellectually and in spirit. Whether, as has been argued, he felt a sense of entitlement to a lead role in Hong Kong based on his family connections, it was always my impression that he deeply loved the city, and genuinely believed he was acting with its best interests at heart. He tended to say what he thought, regardless of the consequences - one of his charms, but not a recipe for success in politics. Never a populist, and a pragmatist to the end, once it was clear his ambitions would not prevail, he folded his tent and abandoned politics - arguably a sane response.
Hong Kong could use more characters like Lo. He was, in my experience, a civilised and honourable man. May he rest in peace.
DAVID PORTER, Kennedy Town
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