China's proposed ‘super embassy poses super risk' to security, Tories claim

China's proposed 'super embassy poses a super risk', the Tories have claimed as they warned the project risks compromising communications infrastructure serving the City of London.
More than a thousand demonstrators took to the streets of central London earlier this year to protest against the proposed embassy.
Ministers are expected to make a final decision on the redevelopment plans at the historic former site of the Royal Mint, after it was rejected by the local council, Tower Hamlets.
Speaking in the Commons, shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart accused the Government of being 'too weak' to block the plans.
He said: 'The Government's own cyber experts, Innovate UK, have warned the Government that the proposed Chinese embassy at the Royal Mint threatens to compromise the telephone and internet exchange that serves the financial City of London.
'The experts are now telling the Government what everyone else has known all along: the super embassy poses a super risk.
'Yet the Deputy Prime Minister's office has said that any representations on the planning application have to be made available to the applicants.
'So perhaps the real Deputy Prime Minister can clear this up – is the Government seriously saying that if MI5 or GCHQ have concerns about security on this site, those concerns will have to be passed to the Chinese Communist Party or has the Deputy Prime Minister (Angela Rayner) got it wrong?'
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden replied: 'When it comes to both engagement with China and with an issue like this, we will of course engage properly and always bear in mind our own national security considerations.'
He also accused Tory governments of opting to 'withdraw' from engaging with China for a number of years after they had previously sought a 'golden era' with Beijing.
A spokesperson for Innovate UK said it 'has not raised any concerns', adding: 'Innovate UK does not have responsibility for cyber security.'
Comments referred to by Mr Burghart are understood to have been made in a personal capacity.
Mr Burghart went on to say: 'At the heart of this are two simple facts. First, the Government already knows that this site is a security risk; it's a security risk to the City of London and through it our economy and the economies of all nations that trade in London.
'Second, the Government has the power to block it. Ireland and Australia have both already blocked similar embassy developments. Why is this Government too weak to act?'
In his reply, Mr McFadden said: 'A decision on this application will be taken in full consideration of our national security considerations. That is always part of this and it is part of our engagement with China and with other countries.'
Chancellor Rachel Reeves flew to China in January to meet with the country's leaders and set out a path towards further investment into Britain.
Elsewhere in Cabinet Office questions, Mr McFadden said the Civil Service should be more representative of the UK and speak with 'all the accents of the country'.
This came in response to Labour MP for Dudley, Sonia Kumar, who said: 'I welcome the relocation of the Civil Service across the country and with a recent study showing that Dudley has high levels of economic inactivity, what reassurances can (he) give me that young people in Dudley want every opportunity to build their career in the Civil Service, whether that's training, apprenticeships, or any mentorships?'
Mr McFadden replied: '(Ms Kumar) will not be surprised to hear my strong enthusiasm for greater employment opportunities for young people in the Black Country.
'When we made the announcement last week about the relocation, we also announced a new apprentice scheme because we don't just have to change location, we have to change recruitment patterns too if we're really going (to) get that Civil Service that speaks with all the accents of the country.'
Later in the session, Conservative MP Lincoln Jopp (Spelthorne) asked for reassurance that 'no Cabinet Office ministers will be attending Glastonbury this year', because 'controversial Ulster rap band' Kneecap remain part of the festival's line-up.
Mr McFadden replied: 'I will not be going to Glastonbury, but I'm very much looking forward to going to see Bruce Springsteen at Anfield Stadium on Saturday night.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Sky News

an hour ago

• Sky News

The assisted dying debate has been politics – but not as we know it

The House of Commons is a place defined by confrontation where political battles play out and engage more actively with their constituents. But the atmosphere could not have been more different on Friday, as those on both sides of the assisted dying debate listened respectfully, almost solemnly, to one another in the final hours before the crucial vote. As MPs headed for the division lobbies, the bill's supporters seemed confident but nervous. When the voting was completed and the result imminent, a long and profound silence fell over the House. From the press gallery, it seemed that the entire Commons was holding its breath together, collectively aware of the historic moment we were all about to witness, whatever the outcome. The woman at the centre of this seismic moment, the bill's sponsor Kim Leadbeater, braced herself as the result came in. Many months of pressure and responsibility appeared to be lifted from her shoulders as the win was announced and colleagues gathered to commend her efforts. Throughout the process this been politics but not as we know it, with party divisions put aside and MPs asked to search their own consciences and come to their own conclusions. It has created a more collaborative atmosphere in parliament and encouraged MPs to engage more actively with their constituents. 3:06 In the end there was still anger, frustration and disappointment among those who were against the law change, either on principle or because they believed the legislation was flawed. And of course, politics will go back to being combative and voices in the Commons will be raised once again. But for a brief period, historic change was calmly ushered in. The challenge for the proponents now is to take the legislation through the next phases and deliver it with the same smoothness and determination.

The Independent

an hour ago

• The Independent

Two Middle East-related protests to be held in central London on Saturday

Protesters are set to rally at two high-profile demonstrations in central London on Saturday over flaring conflicts in the Middle East, the Metropolitan Police said. A protest organised by groups under the Palestine Coalition banner will gather in Russell Square from 12pm, before marching to Whitehall via Aldwych and the Strand for an assembly outside Downing Street. Former Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and musician Paloma Faith are among those set to give speeches at the assembly. Meanwhile, a static counter-protest organised by pro-Israeli group Stop The Hate will be held at the same time just north of Waterloo Bridge at the junction with the Strand. The group said it would meet at the location from 12.30pm onwards. Police have set out conditions for the first protest under the Public Order Act which demands that any person taking part in the procession must remain within Russell Square ahead of the protest and must not deviate from its specified route. Demonstrators must then stay in a specified part of Whitehall for the assembly, which must finish by 5.30pm, the force said. The Palestine Coalition is comprised of a number of different groups, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and Stop The War. Stop The War said in an advertisement for the event on its website: 'Israel's attacks on Gaza and the West Bank are intensifying. Their starvation policy continues. And now Israel attacks on Iran seem intended to lead us into a full-scale war in the Middle East. 'The UK Government has at last accepted that Israel's actions in Gaza are unconscionable. Now they must act – words are not enough.' Discussions are ongoing regarding possible conditions for the Stop The Hate protest, the Met said. In a post on X, Stop The Hate said: 'Our families in Israel are under attack: standing bravely in the face of threats and ballistic missiles, whilst the people of Iran are bravely facing down their totalitarian government — now it's our turn to stand proudly in solidarity with them.' The demonstrations come after reports on Friday that the Home Secretary will ban Palestine Action after the group vandalised two aircraft at RAF Brize Norton. Yvette Cooper has decided to proscribe the group, making it a criminal offence to belong to or support Palestine Action, after footage posted online showed two people inside the RAF base, with one appearing to spray paint into an aircraft's jet engine. PSC described the move on social media as 'outrageous', while the Campaign Against Antisemitism welcomed the news, saying: 'Nobody should be surprised that those who vandalised Jewish premises with impunity have now been emboldened to sabotage RAF jets.'

Telegraph

2 hours ago

• Telegraph

Benefits rebellion means welfare crackdown is ‘not in the bag'

Sir Keir Starmer's Government is stepping up meetings with potential Labour welfare rebels to stave off the threat of a Commons defeat. Ministers including Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary, will increase their engagement with MPs to prevent a large rebellion, it is understood. There are concerns in government that a Commons victory in a vote on the potential cuts – expected in the next few weeks – is not a foregone conclusion. The move comes after Vicky Foxcroft resigned as a party whip on Thursday night over cuts to disability benefits. In her resignation letter to the Prime Minister, the MP for Lewisham North said she understood 'the need to address the ever-increasing welfare bill', but did not believe the proposed cuts 'should be part of the solution'. Ms Foxcroft was the second Labour frontbencher to quit in protest over policy issues after Anneliese Dodds resigned as development minister over cuts to the aid budget. Dozens of other Labour backbenchers have expressed concern over proposals to reform the welfare system, which are expected to save up to £5 billion a year. One rebel said there were rumours about further resignations. However, Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, insisted a major rebellion over welfare was not on the cards. She added that Ms Foxcroft was the only frontbencher who had spoken to her about resigning. Ms Nandy claimed a 'handful' of backbench MPs had expressed concerns to her about the 'detail' of the Bill, but added that she was confident the Government had listened and the package of reforms was 'absolutely right'. She told BBC Breakfast: 'It would be wrong to say that when you bring forward big reforms, there aren't concerns and there aren't dissenting voices, of course there are. 'But Vicky is the only frontbencher that I've had a conversation with about resigning.' Rebel Labour MPs welcomed Ms Foxcroft's decision, with Hartlepool's Jonathan Brash saying that he had the 'utmost respect' for her 'principled stand'. Connor Naismith, the Crewe and Nantwich MP, said that her resignation 'must have been an incredibly difficult decision but she should be commended for standing by her principles'. Ms Foxcroft had said she had wrestled with whether to resign or remain in the Government and 'fight from within'. 'Sadly it [...] now seems that we are not going to get the changes I desperately wanted to see,' she continued. 'I therefore tender my resignation as I know I will not be able to do the job that is required of me and whip – or indeed vote – for reforms which include cuts to disabled people's finances.' Legislation introduced to Parliament on Wednesday includes a tightening of the criteria for the main disability payment in England, the personal independence payment (PIP). Ministers also want to cut the sickness-related element of Universal Credit, and delay access to it so only those aged 22 and over can claim it.