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Governor: I think his position was not quite the same as those which you referred to. I think for example he found it difficult - though you'll have to ask him about this - but I think he probably found it rather difficult to find himself in a position where he was discussing the outcome of meetings of the Preparatory Committee at Executive Council meetings and he was after all a vice-chairman of the Preparatory Committee. So I think his position was a particularly sensitive one. I would have hoped that he could have continued to serve on the Executive Council and worked a way out for these problems. But he's a man of great integrity and great intelligence and I respect his decision.
Question: Do you feel given his importance to your when he decided to leave ExCo?
Governor: Certainly not.
Question: (on replacement)
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do you feel a sense of betrayal
Governor: I don't know whether I want a replacement at all. There is no prescribed size to the Executive Council. It's been larger, it's been smaller. But we'll work out what we think is best for the relationship between the Administration and the Legislative Council and for the good government of Hong Kong in due course.
Question: Do you think his resignation is related to that he might be the coming Chief Executive?
Governor: I've seen what he says in his own statement and I take him at his word.
Question: It's slightly a follow-up from that question. Can you describe what is he like to work with? He is very quiet in public. Is he somebody you regard to have leadership quality?
Governor: Well, I've experienced in life that the wisest people aren't always those who make the most noise. He's a very good businessman. He has a marvellous network of international connections. He is very well known in the United States where he's, of course, led our community which attempts to promote trade with the United States. But he's known elsewhere as well. He's known well in Britain. He's known well in China and of course, his experience of working on the Executive Council has now given him a lot of knowledge about how government and the community works. He's always intelligent, he's always read his papers and contributes in a comradely fashion.
Question: You think he is an ideal candidate for the Chief Executive ...?
Governor: I am often tempted or rather asked to comment on the Chief Executive (Designate) and who it should be and I always quite properly decline to do so.