The embattled Hong Kong leader, Carrie Lam, said she has caused 'unforgivable havoc' by igniting the political crisis engulfing the city and would quit if she had a choice, according to a leaked audio recording of remarks she made last week to a group of businesspeople.

Lam admitted she now has 'very limited' options to resolve the crisis because the unrest has become a national security and sovereignty issue for China amid rising tensions with the United States.