Regina Ip's daughter recalls the pain of the spotlight
Having security minister for mother was tough, says woman amid concern for CY’s daughter
The daughter of a former minister has recalled her struggle in coming to terms with the public criticism levelled at her mother, saying she empathised with the chief executive's daughter - who sparked concern for her well-being after photos of what appeared to be a slashed wrist appeared on her Facebook page.
Cynthia Ip, the 24-year-old daughter of former security minister Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, said the pictures posted by Leung Chun-ying's daughter Chai-yan, 22, reminded her of her unhappy experiences growing up.
In 2003, the senior Ip came in for fierce criticism for pushing the government's ill-fated national security bill in 2003. "I was only 12, 13 years old so I didn't have as much access to social media platforms," she said. "But anyone would be unhappy if his or her parent were criticised.
"I had arguments with schoolmates on current affairs, and was particularly saddened when I overheard someone calling my mum 'Broom-head' when we were shopping at Times Square," she recalled, referring to a nickname given to Regina Ip because of her hairstyle.
"I decided then to step away from things I could not control."
Leung Chun-ying's UK-based elder daughter Chai-yan posted the photographs on Tuesday.