Downing Street has refused to say whether new City Minister Emma Reynolds is able to make decisions about the UK’s dealings with China.
Reynolds was appointed by Sir Keir Starmer after the resignation of Tulip Siddiq amid growing pressure over an anti-corruption investigation in Bangladesh.
Questions have been raised about whether Reynolds has a conflict of interest, because she was a director of public affairs at a banking trade group involved in lobbying for fewer restrictions on Chinese businesses.
The prime minister’s official spokesman repeatedly declined to say whether Reynolds’ background meant she had to recuse herself, or step back, from decisions about China.