Hong Kong university chief distances himself from media injunction sought by council chairman
The vice chancellor of the University of Hong Kong has distanced himself from a decision by the chairman of its governing council last week to seek a court order banning media revelations of its meetings.
The vice chancellor of the University of Hong Kong has distanced himself from a decision by the chairman of its governing council last week to seek a court order banning media revelations of its meetings.
"The council chairman took legal advice before applying for the injunction; all inquiries should be directed to him," Professor Peter Mathieson said yesterday in an emailed response to the South China Morning Post, referring to Dr Leong Che-hung.
Leong had described the legal action as "necessary to safeguard the university's dignity". He also said he had not sought the views of fellow council members prior to the injunction application, which the High Court approved on Friday.
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He turned to the courts after Commercial Radio aired two audio clips purportedly of confidential council discussions.
The university has been embroiled in a months-long political storm over its council's moves to defer, and eventually reject, the sole recommendation of liberal scholar and former law dean Professor Johannes Chan Man-mun for a key managerial post.
In his reply to the Post, Mathieson also appeared to dismiss calls for a full disclosure of what was actually said in a September 29 council meeting that voted down Chan's candidacy for pro-vice-chancellorship.
