University head flies home to face opinion poll controversy

The university head at the centre of the row over alleged government interference in opinion polls slipped back into the SAR last night.

University of Hong Kong vice-chancellor Cheng Yiu-chung quietly left Chek Lap Kok airport by a public exit as dozens of reporters and students waited outside the VIP exit for his return from a shortened holiday in Britain.

As he got out of a limousine at his university residence, Professor Cheng said: 'I just got off the plane . . . we are preparing to hold a press conference within a short period of time. In fact, I do not accept all the allegations.' He pledged to co-operate fully with the planned investigation. Reports last night said that the press conference could be held as early as today.

The head of the Public Opinion Programme at the university's Journalism and Media Studies Centre, Dr Robert Chung Ting-yiu, has claimed that a 'third party' told him via a messenger that Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa did not want to see negative opinion polls. Dr Chung then named Professor Cheng as the third party. The professor has denied putting pressure on Dr Chung.

Holding banners and chanting for Professor Cheng's resignation, students surrounded university external affairs head Rupert Chan Kwan-yun at the airport. Mr Chan said: 'I was told he would leave by this [VIP] exit. There's nothing secretive. After all, he'd still be surrounded by reporters at his residence.' Last night more than 20 students from the University of Hong Kong staged a protest outside Professor Cheng's residence in Kotewall Road, Pokfulam. They vowed to stay until he agreed to meet them.

In a statement issued before his return, the university said Professor Cheng 'would need time to study the events before he can make a public statement on the matter'.