Sequence of events according to Paul Morris' testimony: June 26, 2002: Two days after Arthur Li Kwok-cheung is named Secretary for Education and Manpower, he dines with Paul Morris and urges him to consider a merger of the HKIEd and CUHK, saying he would put Professor Morris in charge of this 'super education research centre'. June 28, 2002: Senior HKIEd members meet to discuss Professor Li's merger proposal and conclude it is not desirable. July 29, 2002: Professor Li dines with four members of the governing council; in early 2003 the council's founding chairman Simon Ip Sik-on tells Professor Morris Professor Li 'strongly urged a merger, otherwise the HKIEd will be raped'. October 4, 2002: Professor Li proposes a merger during a media gathering. October 30, 2002: Then permanent secretary for education and manpower Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun tells Professor Morris to sack two colleagues who are promoting small-class teaching. Weeks later, Professor Li tells Professor Morris that Mrs Law is preparing to punish the HKIEd and that there is nothing he can do. However, if Professor Morris were to support a merger, Professor Li would do his best to help. November, 2004: Mrs Law questions why Professor Morris is employing Cheng Yin-cheong, now head of the Centre for Institutional Research and Development, after he criticised government education reforms. Late 2004: Professor Li calls Professor Morris to ask if the merger proposal could be included as a 'positive point' in then chief executive Tung Chee-wah's policy address, and offers a budget of HK$200 million to implement it. November 16, 2005: During a taped telephone conversation, Professor Li warns Professor Morris he may set up a committee to look at the future of the HKIEd, including its possible abolition, saying: 'If I am attacked I will retaliate' June, 2006: Professor Morris meets with council chairman Thomas Leung Kwok-fai and is told his reappointment depends on him accepting a merger.
