Mike Pompeo, US secretary of state, has urged Britain to join a “broad alliance” against China as the UK government faces new pressure to impose sanctions on Chinese officials responsible for the oppression of Muslim Uighurs.

Amid growing geopolitical tensions between western nations and Beijing, the top US diplomat held “candid” meetings with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other senior UK politicians, including foreign secretary Dominic Raab and Labour leader Keir Starmer, in London on Tuesday.

Mr Pompeo also met hawkish backbench MPs, telling them he wanted the UK to be part of an alliance of nations prepared to challenge China’s actions. The meeting was about “getting us together”, said one backbencher who was in the room. “It is not about attacking China but rather saying ‘your behaviour means it’s very difficult for us to do business with you’.”