A hidden camera has been discovered in a ceiling panel at a sensitive Whitehall building, sparking fears of espionage, it has emerged. The device was found in Marsham Street, Victoria, which houses the Home Office and the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The discovery has alarmed officials because the building was used by civil servants involved in the controversial planning application for China’s proposed new mega-embassy in London. The approval of the embassy went ahead despite warnings that the site could be used for spying.
The Security Services have been informed, and enquiries are under way to determine how the camera was placed and how long it was there. The device was found in a communal area rather than near ministerial offices, but the incident has renewed concerns about the security of UK government buildings.
Hackers linked to China and Russia have previously been connected to cyber operations against UK government systems, raising broader concerns about foreign espionage. The source of the camera remains unknown.
