Gordon Brown aide has Blackberry stolen in suspected 'honeytrap' sting on China trip

An investigation was launched after an aide to Gordon Brown lost his Blackberry during the Prime Minister's visit to China earlier this year, Downing Street confirmed.

However, No 10 denied a report  that the Blackberry was stolen in a possible 'honeytrap' operation after the unnamed aide was picked up by a Chinese woman who approached him at a disco in a Shanghai hotel.

The Sunday Times claimed that the aide agreed to go back to his hotel with the woman and reported his Blackberry missing in the morning.

Blackberries are used as mobile phones, but can also store data and make and receive emails.

In a statement, Downing Street said: 'It is correct that a member of Prime Minister's Office lost their Blackberry during a visit to China in January, however not in the circumstances described in the story.

'The Blackberry was lost at an evening event attended by the member of staff and others from the official party.

'This was reported immediately and mitigation measures were put in place - an investigation has subsequently taken place. There was no compromise to security.'

Mr Brown was accompanied by about 20 No 10 staff as well as 25 business leaders when he visited China earlier in the year.

On the second day of the tour, around 12 members of his team went to a disco and stayed there for around two hours.

'It was apparently a lot of fun, there was quite a lot of dancing with lots of people on a big crowded dance floor,' a source said.

The aide was reportedly approached by the woman and they danced together before disappearing.

The source told The Sunday Times: 'In these circumstances it was not wise.

'Nobody knows exactly what happened after they left.

'But the next morning he came forward and said: "My Blackberry is missing."'

Last year, the director-general of MI5 Jonathan Evans warned that China was carrying out state-sponsored espionage directed at British interests.