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JULIE CHU

An international school's former head boy, who is suing Development Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po and his wife for defamation, wept in court yesterday as he recalled how his family suffered from a rumour that he cheated in a test and his dream of attending Harvard University was shattered.
Jonathan Lu, 20, said the rumour spread quickly through the Chinese International School in November and December 2011 and caused him severe stress.
"I could not focus, failed to sleep, my appetite disappeared," he said.
Jonathan Lu, his twin sister Caitlin Lu and their father Carl Lu are suing Chan and his wife, Frieda Hui Po-ming, for allegedly sending emails claiming the twins escaped punishment for cheating because their father was one of the school governors.
Jonathan Lu said he had worked hard all through school in the hope of going to Harvard.
"I wanted to go to Harvard … Harvard was my dream," he said. "I didn't understand why they had to destroy all of it," he added, breaking into tears.
But what hurt him most was seeing his family suffer.
He said his father, who did a lot for the school without asking for anything in return, was his role model. But after the emails, people began to question his father's integrity and honesty.
His sister and the whole family were very upset that Christmas, Jonathan Lu said. "It was too painful to see them suffer."
When he learned that Harvard had also received an anonymous letter about the alleged cheating, he began to worry whether other institutions would receive similar emails that would affect his studies, jobs and internships.
Barrister Jason Pow SC, for Chan and Hui, said there was no evidence to show the anonymous Harvard email was sent by the couple, and Jonathan agreed.
Pow said the couple had not framed Jonathan for cheating. Rather, they had also been told of the rumour and said some parents had wanted to go to the media with it.
They had raised their concerns with the school because they feared for its reputation.
"What actually hurt you is the rumour but not the existence of the emails," Pow said.
The trial continues before Mr Justice Anthony To Kwai-fung.


Former top pupil weeps in court over allegedly defamatory cheating rumour

Paul Chan and Frieda Hui arrive at the High Court. Photo: Sam Tsang

News

Hong Kong

An international school's former head boy, who is suing Development Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po and his wife for defamation, wept in court yesterday. 
