As GlaxoSmithKline's problems in China continue, the drugs major has confirmed that its finance director in the country, Steve Nechelput, had been banned from foreign travel.

The last couple of weeks have been traumatic for GSK in China and have worsened this week as further details emerged about allegations of millions of dollars being paid to doctors through travel agencies and offers of "sex bribes". Now it has been revealed that Mr Nechelput was turned back when he tried to leave the country at the end of June.

However GSK stressed that Mr Nechelput is free to travel within the country and has not been arrested or questioned by the Chinese authorities. The ban comes after police raised concerns that Mark Reilly, head of GSK's Chinese operations, went to the UK shortly after the bribery investigation was announced and has not returned. GSK noted that Mr Reilly's trip was part of long-scheduled meetings.

Earlier this week, it emerged that four senior executives from GSK are being held by Chinese police on suspicion of having committed serious economic crimes. The company resounded by issuing a statement saying it was "deeply concerned and disappointed by these serious allegations of fraudulent behaviour and ethical misconduct by certain individuals at the company and third-party agencies".

Meanwhile, it has revealed that GSK CEO Sir Andrew Witty is to step down from his role as an adviser to the UK government at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills at the end of December.

The company noted that Sir Andrew had always intended to step down once his three-year term was completed and his decision "is not related in any way to the current issues the company is facing in China".