Tang evasive on rumours of illegitimate child

Chief executive contender Henry Tang Ying-yen yesterday declined to directly address whether he had fathered an illegitimate child.

But the way he evaded the question led some to believe he had, and once again raised questions about his integrity and his credentials for being the city's next leader.

'I won't comment on anything that involves an innocent third person,' said Tang when asked on RTHK if he had an illegitimate child. 'I don't want the third person to be harmed by others.'

He added: 'My behavioural problems in the past have left me with lifelong regrets.'

Since Tang revealed last October that he had strayed in his love life, he has refrained from commenting on rumours that he had a child out of wedlock, repeatedly saying he had no comment to make. But some lawmakers worry that anything short of full disclosure by officials raises conflict-of-interest issues or exposes them to undue influence by those who might know their secrets.

Democratic Party lawmaker Wong Sing-chi said those holding public office had to declare the identities of family members because of the illegality of hiring them in any capacity. 'They should not hire their children,' he said. 'We cannot monitor if he has recruited or will recruit his child as long as the child's identity is kept secret.