Cambridge College Drops Move After CE Quits Post

Cambridge University's Wolfson College said it has decided not to pursue its move to review the honorary fellowship of Chief Executive Carrie Lam in the wake of her decision to renounce the title voluntarily.

The governing council of the college had planned to meet early next month to consider the issue.

In a statement, the college said it had raised concerns with Lam "about her commitment to the protection of human rights and the freedom of expression in Hong Kong following recent events there", and in response she had resigned from the post.

The college said it will not be making any further comment on the matter.

In a Facebook message posted on Saturday, Lam said she had voluntarily returned the honorary title after she became aware that the dean of the college was under pressure from some British politicians and groups who wanted her title cancelled.

She also said in the message that the dean had sent a letter last week saying the college believed she had deviated from the principles of academic freedom and freedom of expression, punished teachers who criticised the government, and enforced national security laws with extraterritorial effect.

Lam said it's difficult to convince herself to maintain ties with the college, after it made these groundless allegations.

The top official also said she wanted to laugh off these allegations but decided to respond, pointing out that Hong Kong universities have academic freedom and institutional autonomy, but students who broke the law were arrested.

She also added that the UK also has national security laws with extraterritorial effect.