Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about the approved plans for the new Chinese Super Embassy.
China has plans for the former Royal Mint Site, in the heart of our nation’s capital, to be converted into not just their largest diplomatic mission in Europe, but the largest embassy of any nation in Europe.
The location is directly alongside sites of national importance, presenting a potential threat of foreign interference, including key fibre-optic cables vital to Britain’s internet network and London’s communication lines. Last summer, following the general election, the Chinese Government reapplied for planning permission for the site despite plans having been previously rejected by Tower Hamlets Council, the Mayor of London and the last Government.
The Prime Minister and senior Ministers have waved through this application despite warnings from the Met Police and our national security services about the site, and in complete contravention of Tower Hamlets Council, who have twice unanimously rejected the plans. On top of this, by not issuing a Section 321 direction, the Government did not allow security services to submit evidence without it being shared with the Chinese Government.
Shadow National Security Minister, Alicia Kearns MP, has said granting the super embassy would provide China with a launchpad for economic warfare at the heart of the central nervous system of our critical national infrastructure.
My colleagues in HM Opposition and I have opposed the super-embassy throughout this process, and we will continue to do so. Indeed, the Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, led a protest march against this last month.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
