Regina Ip seeks Liberal Party's help in election

Former security chief Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee has sought support from the Liberal Party over her expected entry in the Legco by-election for the Hong Kong Island constituency, party chairman James Tien Pei-chun said.

While she has yet to discuss in detail what level of backing she expects from the pro-business party, Mr Tien has pledged that it would not field any candidate and would support her if the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong was not fielding candidates.

Mr Tien confirmed yesterday that Mrs Ip approached the Liberals last week, before the funeral of Ma Lik, the late legislator and DAB chairman, whose death has left the seat vacant.

'We had a discussion in which I told her we would support her if the DAB was not fielding any candidate, which looks very much the likely case,' Mr Tien said.

Asked about the details and actual level of support the Liberals were prepared to provide, Mr Tien said the discussion with Mrs Ip had not yet reached that stage. 'We should wait for the DAB to make an announcement first.'

Mr Tien had said that if his party was to canvass for Mrs Ip, who is believed to be Beijing's favourite to fill the seat for the next eight months, the Liberals would 'wear our own label' to avoid confusing party voters in the districts.

Speculation has been rife about how much a victory by Mrs Ip would affect Liberal vice-chairwoman Miriam Lau Kin-yee's chances of winning a seat in the same constituency in next year's Legco election.