Top-level calls for an end to smear tactics in the campaign to elect Hong Kong's next leader appeared to fall on deaf ears yesterday.
Key players in the latest scandal to rock the chief executive election race clamoured to distance themselves from a controversial businessman at the centre of a storm over triad threats.
Two power brokers gave opposing accounts of a now-infamous dinner attended by members of a rural lobby group and the campaign team of chief executive contender Leung Chun-ying.
The dinner, at a seafood restaurant in Lau Fau Shan last month, is at the centre of a scandal over alleged triad threats against rival candidate Henry Tang Ying-yen, which prompted the latter to call in police.
The dinner was attended by Leung's campaign director, Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun, and deputies Kaizer Lau Ping-cheung and Karen Tang Shuk-tak, as well as a Leung supporter, Lew Mon-hung, and eight members of rural body the Heung Yee Kuk with votes in the election.
Also at the dinner was controversial businessman Kwok Wing-hung - known, too, as 'Shanghai Boy' - who is thought to be linked to Tang's complaint to the police. All those present deny inviting Kwok, and Leung and his campaign team have sought to distance themselves from the businessman.