Whistle-blower swears affidavit

Jeremy Godfrey, the former government chief information officer who alleged political pressure from the highest official levels to award a HK$220 million contract to a particular company, yesterday swore an affidavit verifying his account.

Godfrey, who quit in February, yesterday swore an affidavit verifying his account of the implementation of a HK$220 million project to help underprivileged students learn on the internet. He submitted the account to the Legislative Council's information technology and broadcasting panel last week.

But the government said his submission did not amount to evidence.

In the memo, he stated that Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah considered it mandatory for the government-friendly Internet Professional Association to be the implementer for the project and that Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Elizabeth Tse Man-yee told him it was a 'political assignment'.

Godfrey's remarks on his departure have turned into a political row. The Legco panel will discuss the issue next month.