Legco candidate Tsang Kin-shing yesterday described as a smear campaign newspaper reports accusing him of embezzling donations.
Mr Tsang, a former Democratic Party member, is standing in the Hong Kong Island constituency. Reports yesterday said he had used money donated by the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China and the Action Committee for Defending the Diaoyu Islands to buy an office in San Po Kong.
But Mr Tsang said the office was funded by donations from supporters, including businessman David Ko Wah-bing.
His younger brother, Tsang Hoi-fung, and brother-in-law, Lo Yun-wah, acted as agents and the ultimate purchaser was Mr Ko. The office was subsequently used by activist Lau Shan-ching for district services. He said the office was still used for the promotion of democracy, referring to Mr Lau's work.
Mr Tsang said he would complain to the Electoral Affairs Commission. 'My image will be tainted by the reports.'
He said he did not know who was attempting to smear him. Similar accusations were made against him in 1997.