GETTY Jeremy Corbyn is set to rock the boat by quizzing the Chinese President

We are always concerned that the Government doesn’t raise human rights issues as well as it should

The Labour leader is expected to breach Royal protocol by speaking to officials accompanying Chinese President Xi Jinping about the use of the death penalty and other rights abuses in his country during his visit to Buckingham Palace. Last night, Mr Corbyn’s aides also refused to say whether the hardened antimonarchist would wear the recommended formal dress of white tie and tails for the Royal function. President Xi is guest of honour at the dinner. It is seen as inappropriate for guests to raise controversial political issues at such events.

The Labour leader was understood to be seeking private meetings with senior figures from Beijing during the State visit. His spokesman said any meeting would be held at an “appropriate venue” but did not rule out raising the issue at the banquet.

GETTY Jeremy Corbyn has not shied away from controversy in his short tenure as Labour leader

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Mr Corbyn’s spokesman said: “He will be raising issues about human rights next week. “If he gets private meetings he will be doing it in those meetings – that’s the right thing to do. “We are always concerned that the Government doesn’t raise human rights issues as well as it should.”

GETTY President Xi Jinping will attend a banquet with the Queen

The spokesman declined to say whether the Labour leader intended to wear white tie and tails at the function. “You’ll have to wait and see,” the spokesman said. Mr Corbyn’s wife Laura Alvarez was not expected to be at his side but someone else would accompany him to the Palace.

GETTY One is not amused: Jeremy Corbyn has already snubbed the Queen by missing a privy council assembly

The spokesman also hinted that the party leader would join in the singing of the national anthem. He was widely criticised after for not doing so at the commemorations of the Battle of Britain’s 75th anniversary last month. He will take a full part,” the spokesman said.