William Hague and Hillary Clinton have discussed Neil Heywood case

"Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have also had regular discussions with US officials in Washington and London.

"The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs ... (Mr Hague), has discussed the case with the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton."

Last week, the Foreign Affairs Select Committee also asked Mr Hague questions about Mr Heywood's profession and whether he had supplied information to the British Consulate or Embassy.

State media reports in China have suggested that investigations by authorities there indicate Mr Heywood was a victim of homicide.

He was a friend of the family of Bo Xilai, a former rising star in Chinese politics who served as local party chief in Chongqing but was suspended from the Politburo in April amid allegations of "serious discipline violations".

Chinese authorities initially said Mr Heywood's death was down to alcohol overconsumption but Mr Hague admitted last week that Foreign Office staff were aware on January 18 of rumours that there may have been suspicious circumstances.

It was not until after a former Chongqing vice-mayor and chief of police Wang Lijun raised the concerns with the US consulate on February 6 that officials informed Mr Hague.

Britain subsequently asked China to investigate, which it has now promised to do.

Source: PA