Labour MP Michiel Servaes has urged the Dutch government to find out more about reports that British diplomats have been spreading rumours about the Netherlands leaving the European Union.

Servaes said he had received ‘signals’ that British diplomats in other countries, namely in Asia, had been talking about a possible ‘Nexit’ which could hinder companies considering relocating from Britain to the Netherlands.

Speaking during a debate on this weekend’s informal EU summit, Servaes said his sources told him the campaign appeared to have been orchestrated from within the British government. He urged the government to find out more ‘using formal channels’.

Prime minister Mark Rutte said he is aware of the rumours, which, if true, would ‘show how great the panic is in London’.

However, he pointed out, support among the Dutch for a Nexit has gone down sharply because ‘people are aware of the impact on our security and our economy’.

Foreign minister Bert Koenders described the alleged British action as ‘daft’ and ‘not a good thing,’ and said the Netherlands has its own strategy to welcome companies and institutions to the Netherlands.

A survey last September showed 20% of the Dutch would support leaving the EU.