An official investigation is being conducted into claims that the former Hong Kong governor, Mr Chris Patten, might have leaked classified information, the British government confirmed yesterday.
It is thought MI6 is involved in the inquiry, which follows publication last month of extracts from broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby's book, The Last Governor, on Mr Patten's five-year term in Hong Kong.
News of the inquiry prompted a senior Labour backbencher, Mr David Winnick, to raise suspicions about the role of the "China appeasement lobby" in making trouble for a governor who had agitated for more democracy in Hong Kong.
Minister without Portfolio, Mr Peter Mandelson, confirmed the investigation and said he did not know if Mr Patten would be prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act.
"It would be irresponsible for the government not to take the action when there appears to have been a leak of intelligence material of that kind," Mr Mandelson told the BBC Radio 4 programme The World This Weekend.
The Sunday Times reported yesterday that its publication of extracts from Mr Dimbleby's book last month had sparked allegations that intelligence reports could have been leaked.
A Foreign Office spokesman said yesterday he had nothing to add to Mr Mandelson's remarks. There have been suggestions of antagonism between Mr Patten and certain sections of the Foreign Office over his stance on democratising Hong Kong. Extracts from Mr Dimbleby's book published last month indicated frustration on Mr Patten's part at Britain's failure to introduce direct elections in Hong Kong from 1988.