Hong Kong lawmaker Lau Wong-fat denies he's quitting Legislative Council

Rural patriarch and pro-establishment lawmaker Lau Wong-fat yesterday denied he was set to quit the Legislative Council.

Rumours emerged yesterday morning that the Business and Professionals Alliance lawmaker - affectionately known as "Uncle Fat" - would resign due to poor health. He was at the centre of a controversial walkout during last week's Legco vote on electoral reform, when pro-establishment lawmakers left the chamber in a failed attempt to delay the vote until Lau arrived.

The rumours sent shock-waves through political circles, and reportedly even raised the eyebrows of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, who asked his aides to seek clarification.

They coincided with gossip in political circles that Beijing was unhappy with Lau over his tardiness in arriving at Legco.

In a statement issued around 6pm in response to an inquiry from the , Lau categorically denied the reports, saying "there is no truth in the rumour".

"My health condition is improving. And I do not think there are any reasons for me to resign at this point in time," the statement read.