‘It has to be whiter than white’: Donald Tsang interviews played at misconduct trial reveal efforts to shift attention, prosecutors say
Jury hears for first time 2012 interviews in which former Hong Kong leader explains his attempts to avoid appearance of impropriety
Media interviews with Hong Kong’s former chief executive relating to his use of private jets and yachts in 2012 were heard in full detail for the first time at his misconduct trial on Tuesday.
In a Commercial Radio interview played in court, Tsang was heard telling hosts how the public expected officials to go above and beyond the rules to avoid impropriety.
“It has to be white, or, as the English saying goes, whiter than white,” he said of the expected conduct.
During that radio appearance – met with protesters who called him “corrupt official No 1” – Tsang also pledged to set up an independent committee chaired by former Chief Justice Andrew Li Kwok-nang to look into how Executive Council members and the chief executive declared conflicts of interest.
