LEGISLATORS reacted with anger to Governor Chris Patten's threat to veto any private member's bill he does not consider in line with government policy.
Major political parties said the Governor's threat could lead to a confrontation between the executive branch and the legislature, resulting in a political crisis.
Despite his call for more co-operation between the Government and the new Legco, Mr Patten made it clear he would not hesitate to refuse to sign legislation he judges not in the interests of the public.
But members said they had an electoral mandate and were the best people to judge what was in the public interest.
Democratic Party leader Martin Lee Chu-ming warned that although the Governor had the right to veto bills, he should think twice before doing so.
Another Democrat, Confederation of Trade Unions representative Lau Chin-shek, said: 'I just regret that the Governor said on one hand that the Government will co-operate with Legco but, on the other hand, said he has the right to veto our bills.
