THURROCK MP Andrew Mackinlay has defended his dealings with a man branded a Russian spy.

Chief Whip Geoff Hoon has warned Mr Mackinlay, who is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, about his contact with Alexander Polyakov, who works at the Russian Embassy in London. Mr Hoon said the Labour MP was being "targeted".

But Mr Mackinlay, who is currently on a week-long parliamentary visit to Kazakhstan, said his meetings with the Russian were simply part of his job as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr Mackinlay told a national newspaper: "We have never discussed Russian emigres or businessmen, just international affairs. It's part of my job.

"Hoon said to me In my previous job as Defence Secretary I met people. You should realise you are being targeted by a Russian spy', adding that it wouldn't look good if it was publicised."

Asked if he thought Mr Polyakov was a spy, Mr Mackinlay replied: "Not any more than any other foreign diplomat is."

The meeting with Mr Hoon came after MI5 reported Mr Mackinlay for having tea with Polyakov at the House of Commons in July 2007.

Mr Mackinlay was unavailable for comment to the Echo. His agent, Carl Morris, confirmed: "He did have a meeting with Geoff Hoon, where he was given a warning."

Mr Polyakov works as a counsellor at the Russian Embassy but it is alleged he reports back to the Russian secret service SVR, which replaced the KGB.

Reports claim British spies followed Mr Polyakov to his meeting with Mr MacKinlay before reporting their concerns to Mr Hoon. However, Mr MacKinlay, it is said, continued to meet the diplomat.