![image: [ Chris Patten: reasons not disclosed for the switch in publishers ]](/olmedia/60000/images/_60565_pattenmain.jpg)
Mr Patten's book about his experiences in Asia will now be published by a rival firm, Macmillan.
It is reported that Mr Patten switched publishers to prevent censorship of certain passages concerning China.
HarperCollins is owned by the media magnate Rupert Murdoch, who has extensive business interests in China, and it is alleged that Mr Patten had been put under pressure to tone down his criticism of Beijing.
The row has led to HarperCollins' editor-in-chief leaving the company.
Contacted at his country house in France, Mr. Patten refused to give reasons for the change.
A spokeswoman for Mr Murdoch refused to comment on the reports, as has HarperCollins.
The editor in chief of Macmillan, Clare Alexander, said relations between the former governor and HarperCollins had broken down.
She said Mr Patten had been told the management did not want to publish the book without changes.
Ms Alexander described it as a "terrific and a very outspoken" work, and said Macmillan would publish it in the way Mr Patten had written it.
Since Chris Patten ended his job as Britain's last governor of Hong Kong eight months ago, he has been working on a book about his experiences in Asia.
Mr. Patten was critical of authoritarian governments in Asia, particularly in China, which refused for most of the time he was in Hong Kong to have any direct dealings with him.
In 1994, Mr Murdoch's News Corporation dropped BBC World Service television from its satellite broadcasts to China, largely because of Beijing's objections to BBC news programmes, according to a correspondent.
Patten considers London's top job
(30 Dec 97 | UK)
Former governor of Hong Kong honoured
(31 Dec 97 | World)
HarperCollins
Macmillan Press
News Corporation
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Parents reassured over MMR vaccine
Paratrooper's murder conviction quashed
Stars line up for Diana memorial concert
No ticket, don't travel - Straw
(From Sport)
Police join forces to beat hooligans
(From Special Report)
World Court claims authority in Lockerbie dispute
Mothers win sacking cases
Patten sues over scrapped book deal
Unionists issue talks warning
Diana's godchildren to benefit from will change
England's past looks into future
(From Sci/Tech)
Could join, won't join
(From Business)
Regions get bigger share of Millennium millions
Rural anger goes to town
Silver Seraph rolls into limelight
(From Business)
Journalist's death 'unlawful'
Last chance to spend old 50ps
Police kill gunman
Government acts to reduce blood CJD risk
Trainers, jockey win libel damages from 'Life'
(From Sport)
Bachelor boy Cliff still rocking 40 years on
Fatal train crash driver 'ignored warning lights'
Thatcher returns to Kuwait
(From Despatches)
Crackdown on Internet porn
Princess Margaret to stay in hospital
New pit could create 300 jobs
Jobs boost for Wearside
(From Business)