Stranded British consul finds oasis at Virgin
Newly arrived British Consul General Andrew Seaton was thrust straight into action on his first day at work on Monday, and faced a larger than expected media crowd. Given the turnout, it was lucky he managed to get a flight, having booked a seat on now-defunct budget carrier Hong Kong Oasis Airlines. 'Not my best judgment call,' Mr Seaton admitted. But before you start thinking that's what you get for going for the cheapest deal, he explained he booked with Oasis because he lives near London's Gatwick Airport, from where Oasis flew. Fortunately, Virgin Atlantic had a seat available, though they did not exactly give him VIP treatment. Mr Seaton spent his birthday in mid-air, but much to his relief, Virgin did not seem to notice, and offered no upgrade nor made any embarrassing announcement.
No brief respite for Martin Lee SC
What will veteran Democrat Martin Lee Chu-ming do once he retires from the legislature after two decades in politics? Friends believe he could take on an international role. 'Martin has so many friends in the United States and at the United Nations, and he could well be appointed as some sort of UN human rights special envoy,' said one party colleague, citing the example of Yash Ghai, the former University of Hong Kong law professor who became a UN special envoy to Cambodia. 'Then, when the UN sends Martin to investigate human rights problems in, say, Tibet, can Beijing refuse him entry?' Mr Lee was too busy to think about his post-retirement life this week. 'What I really want to do is complete the piles of court cases I currently have in my brief,' said the barrister.
Margaret Ng provides all-round relief
Now that legal sector lawmaker Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee has said she may run again in the next Legco election if she has the support of her constituents, fellow Civic Party member Ronny Tong Ka-wah can breathe a sigh of relief. Ms Ng suggested Mr Tong was the person most pleased to hear her decision - recognition that he had been fretting about who else to put up to contest the functional constituency seat. Mr Tong did not dispute that. He said that, finally, he can concentrate on other things. But he suggested it was Ms Ng herself who should be most pleased, since she had been pestered by lawyers asking why she was stepping down. 'You should have seen her when she saw those [newspaper reports implying she would step down]. She was so angry I could see steam coming out of her ears.'