China's proposal to build Europe's largest embassy in a former Royal Mint building in Tower Hamlets has sparked controversy. While cabinet ministers support the plan, UK intelligence services, the Metropolitan Police, and local residents have raised concerns about its proximity to critical communication cables, potential for attracting protests, and impact on nearby heritage sites.
China has proposed transforming the former Royal Mint building in Tower Hamlets into Europe's largest embassy. This plan has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with UK intelligence agencies raising concerns about its proximity to critical communication cables, potentially leaving them vulnerable to attacks. Counterterrorism police have also expressed apprehension, warning that the embassy's construction could draw protests and divert resources from other pressing duties.
The proposed 'super embassy' is located just four miles away from the United States' own 'super embassy' in Nine Elms, which opened in 2018. While Tower Hamlets Council initially rejected the proposal in 2022, cabinet ministers have intervened to push for China's application to be approved. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner is expected to make the final decision in October after Beijing resubmitted their proposal, despite minimal changes following Labour's election victory last year.Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper have jointly written to Tower Hamlets' Planning Inspectorate, emphasizing the significance of diplomatic representations within each other's capitals. They asserted that the Metropolitan Police has withdrawn their objections. However, this move has been met with criticism, with Councillor Peter Golds calling it an 'extraordinary attempt to influence an independent inquiry'. He further questioned the government's transparency regarding their discussions with the Chinese government on this matter, demanding clarity on their rationale and urging the Met Police to explain their change in stance after government intervention
CHINA EMBASSY UK INTELLIGENCE TOWER HAMLETS ROYAL MINT COMMUNICATION CABLES SECURITY CONCERNS PROTESTS HERITAGE SITES
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