Particle.news
Download on the App Store
16 ARTICLES
·
42m ago

UK Poised to Clear Chinese ‘Super-Embassy’ in London After Security Services Signal Risks Are Manageable

Security assessments pointing to workable mitigations have pushed the plan toward sign-off, with the government simultaneously rolling out tougher counter-espionage steps.

Image
Image
Image
China had warned of “consequences” if the development at Royal Mint Court, near the Tower of London, was rejected

Overview

  • Ministers face a 10 December deadline, with Housing Secretary Steve Reed set to make the quasi-judicial planning decision on the Royal Mint Court site.
  • MI5 and MI6 are reported to have raised no formal objections provided safeguards are in place, and senior MI5 figures privately told the Commons speaker they were “very relaxed” about managing the risks.
  • Keir Starmer is considering a China visit in late January, according to reports, but he said no trip is confirmed and pledged to robustly protect UK interests.
  • The government announced £170m to upgrade encrypted technology and £130m to support National Security Act enforcement as MI5 warned MPs about LinkedIn recruiters Amanda Qiu and Shirly Shen linked to China’s state security.
  • Beijing has warned of consequences over delays and is blocking renovation works at the British embassy in Beijing, even as allied officials express concerns about espionage risks from the London project.