Government delays Chinese ‘super embassy’ decision again

The UK government has again delayed its decision over whether to approve a Chinese “super embassy” in London until January.

A decision over the controversial plan close to the Tower of London will now take place on 20 January, instead of 10 December, a letter from the planning inspectorate seen by Sky News says.

Despite multiple delays, Sky News understands the government is expected to approve the plans, with both MI5 and MI6 said to have given their blessing to the decision.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed has said he needs more time to consider new representations from the Foreign Office and Home Office – who it is also understood will not raise any formal objections as long as “mitigations” are put in place to protect national security.

The new letter sent to ministers and “interested parties”, including the Inter Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) – who has warned against approving the embassy – said the government aims “to issue the decision as quickly as possible” on or before 20 January.

Mr Reed became housing secretary in September and had already delayed the decision once from October, as he previously said he had not had enough time to look at the details.

A decision had also been delayed before that by the former housing secretary Angela Rayner, after the Chinese re-submitted their planning application two weeks after Labour won the election.

Tower Hamlets Council rejected the application in 2022 and the Conservative government said it would not call it in.

Luke de Pulford, executive director of IPAC, told Sky News: “This is the third delay, and entirely of the government’s own making.

“Residents and dissidents have endured months of dithering as the government tries to choose between UK national security and upsetting Beijing.”

A letter from the home and foreign secretaries to the planning inspectorate, published with the latest delay letter, said their concerns have been addressed by the Chinese government committing to ensure all its diplomatic premises in London, excluding the ambassador’s house, into the new embassy site.

There have been large-scale protests against the embassy over concerns it will be used as a Chinese spy hub for Europe.

Hong Kong dissidents who have fled to the UK have expressed fears rooms redacted “for security reasons” in submitted plans might be used to detain them.

The latest delay comes less than 24 hours after Sir Keir Starmer warned China poses “real national security threats to the United Kingdom” and said being tough on national security will enable the UK to pursue economic opportunities with Beijing.

He said UK government policy towards China cannot continue to blow “hot and cold” and said his government will focus on the relationship with Beijing.

A Chinese embassy spokesman in London said China “firmly opposes the erroneous remarks” and accused Sir Keir of making “groundless accusations against China” and interfering in China’s internal affairs.

“Facts have fully demonstrated that China has always been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order,” he said.

“On issues of peace and security, China has the best track record among major countries. China’s development poses no threat to any country, but instead brings opportunities for common development to all.”

He said the UK should “adjust its mindset, adopt a rational and friendly approach towards China’s development”.

Last month, MI5 warned MPs, peers and parliamentary staff about the risk from Chinese spies after identifying two LinkedIn profiles it said are being used by the Chinese Ministry of State Security to act as “civilian recruitment headhunters”.