The EU’s foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, has denied claims that a report alleging disinformation tactics by the Chinese government during the pandemic was edited because of pressure from the Chinese authorities.

Mr Borrell faced over an hour of questions from MEPs in the European Parliament on the issue.

It’s been reported that after a leaked version of the initial report was published by a newspaper, the final version was edited and softened to be less critical of China. The New York Times said EU officials had rewritten the document after bowing to pressure from Chinese diplomats.

Mr Borrell said the original version had been changed because his staff wanted to “avoid inaccuracies in our terminology”.

“It was decided by the staff without any interference or pressure from outside or inside. We do not shy away from calling out clear disinformation cases by China, which are in the report,” he added.

One line said to have been changed reportedly stated that China “continued to deflect blame for the outbreak of the pandemic and improve its international image”.

Mr Borrell acknowledged that Chinese diplomats had tried to exert some pressure on the EU once the leaked document was released, but he said it had made no difference.