A row about criteria governing the use of Government House has deepened after legislator Emily Lau Wai-hing questioned arrangements for a cocktail reception to be held there today.
The Chief Executive's Office claimed last night the reception would be hosted by Tung Chee-hwa rather than a body chaired by Executive Council Convenor Leung Chun-ying.
The statement was issued hours after Ms Lau of The Frontier wrote to Mr Tung to inquire about the use of Government House by outside bodies after learning from media reports that the Joint Professional Centre - which comprises representatives from 10 professions - would host the reception.
She pressed Mr Tung to spell out the criteria for applying to use Government House and asked whether Mr Leung and the centre had complied with such criteria.
'I think that the criteria for applying to use Government House should be fair, open and impartial. Those holding senior posts and with immense power should not be given preferential treatment,' she said in the letter.
Mr Leung said on Thursday that the body was eligible to host the event because it was a non-profit-making organisation.