CY Leung met HKU vice-chancellor Peter Mathieson in weeks leading up to controversial Johannes Chan snub
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying met the head of the University of Hong Kong in the weeks leading up to the controversial rejection of a liberal academic's promotion to a senior manager's job, the Post has learned. The revelation has raised fresh concerns about political interference in the administration of HKU, but Leung's office would only say: "The chief executive meets with people of all backgrounds from time to time to exchange ideas."
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying met the head of the University of Hong Kong in the weeks leading up to the controversial rejection of a liberal academic's promotion to a senior manager's job, the Post has learned.
The revelation has raised fresh concerns about political interference in the administration of HKU, but Leung's office would only say: "The chief executive meets with people of all backgrounds from time to time to exchange ideas."
A source close to the university said Leung had sought meetings with HKU vice-chancellor Professor Peter Mathieson in August and September to discuss the university's operation.
READ MORE: ‘What did they talk about?’ Lawmaker demands answers over Hong Kong leader CY Leung’s meeting with HKU head
"They met at least once in the weeks before the university council's meeting on September 29," said the source, referring to the date when HKU's governing council voted against appointing former law faculty dean Professor Johannes Chan Man-mun as a pro-vice-chancellor.
Critics have linked Chan's rejection to his friendship with Occupy Central organiser Benny Tai Yiu-ting. The decision, which came after months of delay and controversy, was condemned by students and alumni, who accused pro-government council members of politicising an academic matter and threatened to challenge it in court.
It remains unclear whether Leung, who is the university's chancellor by law, and Mathieson discussed the controversy.
Mathieson refused to comment on the meeting, but an HKU spokesman said: "He stressed that in the course of representing the university's best interests, he meets with people from all walks of life."