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Hong Kong’s John Lee apologises for Tai Po fire, unveils reforms as housing chief resigns

City leader and seven other top officials bow their heads in apology, while housing chief Winnie Ho resigns to take political responsibility

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Hong Kong’s leader has apologised for last year’s deadly Tai Po fire, vowing extensive civil service and legislative reforms and an overhaul of government departments as his housing chief Winnie Ho Wing-yin resigned to offer political accountability.

A grim-faced Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and seven other top officials bowed their heads in apology on Thursday at the start of a press briefing, the first time his administration had directly expressed regret since the blaze on November 26 at Wang Fuk Court killed 168 people and displaced 1,984 families.

“It has caused pain and sorrow to the affected families and society,” Lee said.

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