Top Tory slams Chinese mega embassy as 'absolute madness'

Sir Iain Duncan Smith has led a protest against the proposed new Chinese super-embassy in London. The former Tory leader warned China is the "largest threat" that could destabilise the world order.

He was joined by fellow MPs, local residents and dissident groups outside the Home Office on Tuesday to pressure Yvette Cooper over the government's planning decision. Sir Iain said: "The UK government states Russian, North Korea and Iran are threats to the UK, but that China is simply a 'challenge'.

"China is not a challenge, it is an ever present threat. The largest threat we face right now that destabilises the world order. China undermines the world trade system by selling cheap goods made with slave labour, it threatens Taiwan on a daily basis and intimidates Hong Kongers who have fled China to the UK.

"Giving the Chinese a mega-embassy in London on top of all our - including security - communications lines is absolute madness. China wants to bring in over 200 spies to live on the proposed complex to wreak havoc with all of those who have fled China to the UK. If it goes ahead it will be a terrible, terrible decision."

The House of Commons last month heard concerns that the proposed 600,000 square foot development in central London could give rise to dissidents from Hong Kong feeling under further threat, amid cases of harassment and physical attacks.

MPs have previously raised the security threats that they feel is posed by the site in Royal Mint Court, near the capital's financial district. The plans were previously rejected by Tower Hamlets Council in 2022, with the Chinese opting not to appeal.

But the Chinese government resubmitted the application a fortnight after Sir Keir Starmer's election victory last year, believing Labour may be more receptive to the application.

Since entering office Sir Keir's government has sought closer links with Beijing after a cooling during the final years of Conservative Party rule.

The final decision will be made by Angela Rayner in her role as the Local Government Secretary, who has planning in her remit.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy assured MPs last week that there are "no grubby deals" with China on any issue, including the proposed "super-embassy".

Defending the Government, he said the Chinese "super-embassy" issue is a "quasi-judicial decision that's been properly made by the Secretary at the Department for Communities and Local Government".