Lee had earlier accused the democrats of breaking promises by facilitating Ho's press conference after the disgraced district councillor was granted an early release from the Dongguan detention center following sex allegations.

Lee Wing-tat, responding to Allen Lee's attack in a Chinese-language newspaper, said he had sought help from three people who have close contacts with Beijing, including Allen Lee. But he insisted he had not promised that the democrats would not hold a press conference to reveal details of Ho's arrest and detention.

Allen Lee said he had helped arranged for Ho's early release following a promise by the Democratic Party chief that Ho and his family would keep a low profile. Instead, on his return to the SAR, Ho attacked the mainland authorities for his imprisonment on what he said were false charges and for the sort of treatment he had received in jail. Ho was arrested in a Dongguan hotel on August 13 and sentenced without trial to six months of ``re-education through labor'' for allegedly soliciting the services of a prostitute. Ho, whose jail term was originally due to end last Sunday, was released on January 28.

The Legco election running-mate of legislator Fred Li attended a press conference six days after he was freed and accused officials at the detention center of mistreating him. He showed off his blister-covered body, claiming it was due to psoriasis infection at the unhygienic facility.

Ho also complained about being constantly watched by inmates, forced to write letters of apology and appreciation, and being barred from taking liver medicine brought to him by his wife.

Following Ho's press conference, former Liberal Party chairman Allen Lee accused the democrats of failing to keep their promise. He revealed that he was asked to intervene to help secure Ho's early release to enable him to return home to celebrate the Lunar New Year with his family. ``I thought it was a reasonable request and I decided to help,'' Lee said Monday. ``But after Ho was released, Lee Wing-tat refused to halt the press conference, telling me that they must [proceed with it].

``[Lee Wing-tat] owes me an apology,'' Lee said.

``Lee Wing-tat told me that Mrs Ho very much wanted her husband back before the Lunar New Year, on or before February 8, the new year's eve,'' Allen Lee said. ``But what Ho and the democrats did after Ho's return was totally different from what they had promised. That angered me most.

``If Ho wanted a press conference, let him have it, but the democrats should distance themselves from Ho especially when they did not know the truth,'' Lee said.

``For supporting Ho, the party will pay a dear price. Lee [Wing-tat] and his party members don't have much future,'' Lee said.

In the statement issued last night, Lee Wing-tat said the other two people who had helped in the matter told him they sought help through the central government and other channels.

``I am grateful for the three persons' help,'' Lee said.

``I had never made any promise to the trio. Neither had I promised that the party or Ho would not hold a press conference on Ho's return.''

matthew.lee@globalchina.com