Alarm in UK over Chinese businessman's link to 'secret police station'

The UK on Wednesday promised to get tough on authoritarian regimes operating overseas, after newspaper claims about a London-based businessman's links to a secret Chinese police station.

The Times said Chinese businessman Lin Ruiyou operated a food delivery business in the London that doubled as an undeclared Chinese police station.

It said Lin had also been active in local politics for the ruling Conservatives, and reprinted on Wednesday photographs of him meeting former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Theresa May.

The daily said Lin had been active in a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) 'United Front' organisation, but that he denied working surreptitiously for provincial police to monitor other Chinese nationals in London.

Beijing's embassy in London said of The Times allegations: "We have made it clear many times that there are no so-called 'overseas police stations'.

"China adheres to the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, strictly observes international laws and respects the judicial sovereignty of all countries".

It warned against the media quoting "hearsay" and spreading "false accusations".