By GB News (World News) | Created at 2024-11-19 14:31:36 | Updated at 2024-11-24 08:00:03
4 days ago
Sir Keir Starmer has been labelled "weak" after appearing to bow to Chinese pressure to build a so-called "super-embassy" in the heart of London.
In August, Fears had been raised that China were looking to "try it on" and erect the new building under the new Labour Government after being denied in 2022.
Then in late October, the Ministry of Housing confirmed Angela Rayner had "called in" China's application - going in the face of Sadiq Khan to do so.
But as Starmer sat down at the G20 summit for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, he told dignitaries: "You raised the Chinese embassy building in London when we spoke on the telephone.
China's planned new 'super-embassy' would sit on the doorstep of the Tower of London
CBRE/GOOGLE/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Starmer's green-lighting comes in the face of warnings the new embassy is a 'massive spy hub'
PA
Starmer himself claimed his Government's approach "will always be rooted in the interests of the UK" - which was immediately rebuked by Conservatives.
Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Alicia Kearns said: "How was interfering in planning decisions around China's next potential embassy in London 'rooted in the interests of the UK?'
"How is it anything other than a desperate attempt to appease? For what in return?"
The "super-embassy", which would overlook the Tower of London and sit within striking distance of London's business hubs in the City and Canary Wharf, would sprawl over 620,000 square feet, and include hundreds of offices, homes and a "cultural exchange" outpost.
'Weak. Weak. Weak,' Robert Jenrick said
PA
The megastructure is on the site of what used to be the Royal Mint and is already owned by the Chinese Government.
It sits some three miles east of Westminster, and would dwarf the country's existing setup in Marylebone, in the capital's west.
When it emerged China was planning to push through its application earlier this year, former Defence Select Committee chairman Tobias Ellwood said there was "no justification" for it to take up such a large site.
"There is no justification for any embassy to jump in size ten-fold unless they were attempting to expand competences well beyond the norms of routine diplomacy, which no doubt would include clandestine activity," he added.
GB News has approached Downing Street for comment.
