Leung Chun-ying was not content yesterday with the legislature narrowly voting against probing allegations that he advocated using 'riot police and tear gas' against demonstrators: if he wins Sunday's election, he said, he may disclose confidential documents on the matter himself.
In a House Committee meeting the Labour Party's motion to invoke the Legislative Council's special powers to initiate a full-scale investigation was defeated by 24 votes to 22.
But Leung, speaking on Commercial Radio yesterday morning, was indignant that many Hongkongers believed the accusations made against him by his rival in the chief executive election race, Henry Tang Ying-yen. Tang said last week that Leung had advocated using riot police against demonstrators in 2003 and had suggested reducing the duration of Commercial Radio's licence following criticism from the station's hosts.
'A poll found around 40 to 50 per cent of the public believed I did say those words,' Leung told Commercial Radio. 'But I am really innocent.'
In order to clear his name, he said he would consider disclosing an Executive Council document, a move that would breach confidentiality: 'I am not sure whether the chief executive will have the power to disclose such documents, but I really have the incentive to do so. If it is possible, I surely will do it,' he said, insisting his conscience was clear in the matter.
Tang has already come under fire for breaching confidentiality rules relating to Exco discussions.
