CY Leung denies shirking responsibility for structures

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said on Tuesday that he had not tried to shirk his responsibility for illegal structures at his home while speaking to lawmakers on Monday.

Leung has come under criticism for telling lawmakers “I did not say I had no illegal structure”, in the Legislative Council on Monday, in response to lawmakers’ questions about the illegal structures controversy.

The remark drew criticism that Leung was “too obstinate” to make his apologies look sincere. He has issued several public apologies for negligence in addressing the illegal structures at his houses on The Peak.

The Liberal Party’s James Tien Pei-chun asked Leung on Monday if he felt he had cheated to win the chief executive election by saying on TV that he had no illegal structures at his houses.

Leung replied, “To my memory, I did not say I had no illegal structures.”

On Tuesday, speaking before an Executive Council meeting, Leung acknowledged that his remark had raised concerns, and tried to clarify what he meant.