Key Highlights
- Keir Starmer faces years of legal battles over approving China’s new mega-embassy in London.
- Campaigners claim the planning process was predetermined and residents will request disclosure of all relevant communications.
- The government is expected to argue that security services have given the green light, despite concerns about data transmission risks.
Keir Starmer: Legal Battles Ahead over China Mega-Embassy Approval
Keir Starmer, the current Attorney General and a key figure in British politics, is set to formally approve plans for China’s new mega-embassy in London. However, this approval comes with significant legal challenges that could span years.
Legal Challenges and Campaigners’ Demands
The residents living near the proposed embassy are preparing to launch a judicial review of the decision. They argue that the government’s approval was predetermined, citing concerns about potential national security risks and impacts on local properties.
These campaigners will request disclosure of all information regarding meetings and calls between Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (or his predecessor) and President Xi Jinping in the lead-up to the decision. Additionally, they aim to obtain WhatsApp messages, emails, and minutes from any relevant communications related to the embassy.
The legal challenges are likely to target senior government officials such as Starmer himself, Angela Rayner, former housing secretary, Steve Reed, her successor, David Lammy, the former foreign secretary, and his replacement Yvette Cooper. They will be represented by Lord Banner KC, a Tory peer and one of the country’s top planning barristers.
Government’s Defense and Security Concerns
The government maintains that approving the consolidation of multiple Chinese diplomatic sites into one mega-embassy at Royal Mint Court in London offers clear security advantages. However, residents and critics are questioning this rationale given concerns over data transmission risks between the City of London and Canary Wharf.
According to Ciaran Martin, a former head of GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre, British intelligence agencies would not allow such an embassy if it posed unmanageable security risks. He asserts that no government would override their advice in such matters.
Potential Quid Pro Quo and Broader Implications
There are also claims that the approval of this new embassy is part of a “quid pro quo” deal with China, aimed at securing approval for a new British embassy in China. This potential compromise has raised eyebrows among political observers.
Starmer’s visit to China later this month as part of efforts to bolster economic ties adds another layer of complexity to the situation. However, he is set to be the first UK Prime Minister to visit China in eight years, highlighting the importance placed on improving bilateral relations despite ongoing tensions over issues like data security and human rights.
The approval process for this mega-embassy has been met with significant resistance from local residents who fear that their properties are at risk. Their concerns echo broader questions about the balance between diplomatic cooperation and national security in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
