But Peter Lam Kin-ngok, chairman of East Asia Entertainment and Lai Sun Development, said he did not know exactly when Chen will be back in Hong Kong.

Breaking his silence about the scandal that has gripped the city, Lam was asked at a spring reception yesterday what Chen's mood was.

"What can you expect a 27-year-old kid to feel about such an incident?" Lam replied, adding that his firm has been cooperating with the police.

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The long-running drama took another twist yesterday when "Kira" - who has been releasing images on the internet - struck again, adding two more nude photos.

And, according to sources, police have seized an eight-minute video in connection with the case. As of yesterday, the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority received 155 complaints since Saturday about the nude pictures, purportedly of celebrities, that were posted on the internet.

Former secretary for security Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee expressed sympathy for the police, describing the case as a "landmine" for officers.

"The police learned a lesson in terms of public relations," said Ip at a spring reception. The police were criticized for devoting a lot of effort and attention because celebrities were involved.

Ip said it is common for the government to apply law enforcement measures selectively. For example, she believed there is a large number of overstayers in Hong Kong, but the authorities would not be able to arrest all of them. BONNIE CHEN