Laurence Leung Ming-yin

Britain denied last night it had been party to 'concerted efforts' to dirty Mr Leung's name through British newspaper reports.

The allegations in unsourced reports, some of which are claimed to have come from the British spy agency, MI6, have been repeated in Hong Kong under the cover of Legislative Council privilege.

Foreign Office spokesman Bill Dixon said: 'I would reject any allegation that the British Government or official sources have sought to rubbish Mr Leung.' The ex-immigration chief said he had not sued over the allegations because it would have cost too much money and he was not sure he would win.