The row over a possible Michael Jackson concert at the Hong Kong Stadium has flared again after a survey showed residents wanted the show to go ahead.
But the poll of 500 people living near the troubled venue, carried out by Survey Research Hong Kong, was criticised by the stadium's board of governors as 'untrustworthy and flawed'.
It found that 78 per cent of those asked would support a concert, with certain specified conditions. A further 60 per cent said that if the show was a success they would be prepared to consider more concerts.
Jackson backers, who commissioned the survey, intended it to support their calls for an exemption from noise restrictions.
But the stadium's board of governors said the poll contained loaded questions and insufficient detail.
Board member and Democrat Fred Li Wah-ming said: 'If you look at the way the questions are framed, they are loaded. It is untrustworthy and flawed.' David Shanks, managing director of communications company DSC Hong Kong, which commissioned the survey, accused the board of ignoring public opinion.