A senior lawyer representing Shein has repeatedly refused to say whether the company sells products containing cotton from China, prompting an MP to brand her evidence “ridiculous”.

Yinan Zhu, general counsel for the fast-fashion giant, confirmed its suppliers did manufacture products in the country, but declined to say whether they used Chinese cotton.

Firms that source clothing, cotton, and other products from the Xinjiang region in the north west of China in particular have come under pressure following allegations of forced labour and human rights abuses.

Ms Zhu’s refusal to answer questions was met with backlash from a committee of MPs, who accused her of “wilful ignorance”.