MI5 officers have told the House of Commons speaker that they can manage the espionage risks associated with a proposed Chinese super-embassy in London, paving the way for its approval. In a private meeting with Lindsay Hoyle over the summer, senior figures from the Security Service indicated they were 'very relaxed' about the prospect of a 20,000 sq metre embassy at Royal Mint Court near Tower Bridge.
The assessment suggests that the intelligence community believes the risks from the large diplomatic outpost can be handled. Ken McCallum, MI5's director general, said in October that the agency had 'more than a century of experience' dealing with national security risks from foreign embassies. The Security Service's advice has been passed to the Home Office, its sponsor department.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning a bilateral visit to China in January or February next year, but insiders believe the trip depends on the embassy being approved next month. Ministers are weighing a decision by 10 December, having already delayed it twice. The delays have angered Beijing, which has blocked renovation work at the British embassy in Beijing in retaliation.
Opponents of the project cite security concerns, including cables beneath the site connecting to the City of London, as well as traffic and safety issues. However, former senior intelligence officers argue that concentrating diplomatic staff in one location makes surveillance easier. Nigel Inkster, a former MI6 assistant chief, said the size of the embassy is 'immaterial' and that many countries now avoid spying from embassies due to advanced surveillance technologies.
Former MI6 chief Richard Moore indicated a compromise is likely, stating that China should get an appropriate embassy while the UK retains its own in Beijing. The Chinese government has demanded the UK 'immediately fulfil its obligations' or face consequences.
