'Slip of the tongue' proves costly

Organizer of the Wan Chai night bazaar Ivan Ho Manyiu said it is a “slip of the tongue” when he said stall owners knew they could not run business during fireworks on National Day when they signed the contract.

Some stall owners complained that they were told to stop operating at 4pm on Sunday due to crowd-control measures for the fireworks show at 9pm.

Ho, pictured, who is chairman of the task force in charge of Harbourfront developments on Hong Kong Island, last week said stall owners knew they had to suspend business on the National Day when signing the contract.

But the Development Bureau clarified on Saturday that the administration had not confirmed that the stall owners had to close their businesses earlier that day.

Speaking on radio, Ho admitted that he was wrong as he did not get the first hand information. “It’s my fault since I thought it was like that before,” Ho said.

“It’s a slip of the tongue and I am responsible for my mistake,” he insisted.