Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under renewed and intense pressure from within his own party to block China's controversial plans for a vast new embassy complex in London, following the revelation of a secret underground room that has sparked major security concerns.
Labour Backbenchers Sound the Alarm
A group of Labour MPs, including Sarah Champion who sits on parliament's Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, have urgently written to Communities Secretary Steve Reed. They have called on the government to reject Beijing's application to build a huge diplomatic headquarters on the site of the former Royal Mint near the City of London.
The MPs warn that the proposed 'super-embassy' could be used to 'step up intimidation' against dissidents and political opponents living in the UK. They cite what they describe as China's "recent track record of espionage cases, interference activities, and issuing of bounties against UK-based Hong Kongers" as justification for their profound unease.
The 'Secret Room' and Proximity to Critical Infrastructure
The pressure escalated this week with the publication of unredacted plans which appear to show a concealed underground chamber within the embassy's blueprint. According to reports, this triangular room measures up to 40 metres across and 2-3 metres deep and features at least two air extraction systems, suggesting it could house heat-generating equipment like high-tech computers.
Critically, this room would be situated just metres away from a vital underground cable network belonging to firms like BT, Colt, and Verizon. These cables carry communications between major financial hubs in the City of London and Canary Wharf, and are close to key data centres, including the London Stock Exchange.
Security experts have labelled the proximity a significant risk. Professor Alan Woodward described it as a "red flag," stating that having the cables so close would present an "enormous temptation" for potential eavesdropping. Documents also indicate the outer wall next to these cables would be demolished and rebuilt, further fuelling fears they could be tapped.
A Long-Running Saga with Deep-Seated Fears
The dispute over the embassy plans has rumbled since China purchased the 215,280 sq ft site for £255 million from the Crown Estate in 2018. Security concerns were raised immediately due to the location's proximity to sensitive communications infrastructure.
Previous investigations by The Mail on Sunday revealed that planning documents included references to 208 secret basement rooms, with two suites and a tunnel explicitly labelled as 'spy dungeons' before being redacted. Diplomatic sources have also suggested the complex could house over 200 intelligence officers.
Despite these concerns, Downing Street is reportedly considering approving the plans imminently, potentially before a planned visit by Starmer to China later this month, in an effort to improve diplomatic relations.
Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick called the unredacted plans "shocking," adding on social media that "No one committed to our national security could possibly sign this off." China has consistently dismissed claims that the embassy would be used for espionage, while BT has stated it works with the government and has "robust security measures" to protect its assets.
The Prime Minister now faces a critical decision, balancing international diplomacy against stark warnings from MPs and security analysts about the potential threats posed by the mega-embassy's design and location.
