Foreign Office chief to visit China after collapse of high-profile espionage case

Oliver Robbins’ trip comes in the same week ministers are expected to face questions over the abandonment of charges against two men accused of spying for Beijing. Photograph: Mark Kerrison/Alamy

The head of the Foreign Office will travel to China next week as ministers come under pressure over the collapse of a high-profile espionage case, the Guardian can disclose.

Oliver Robbins, who as permanent secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is its most senior civil servant, will visit China on “long-planned” government business.