Tories warning over China's mega-embassy

CHINA'S proposed new embassy in central London would give the country a “launch pad for economic warfare” against the UK, the Conservative Party has said.

- PA REPORTERS

Shadow Home Office minister Alicia Kearns quoted a report by The Telegraph which says the plans for the site of the former Royal Mint include 208 secret rooms and a hidden chamber.

The Government's planning minister Matthew Pennycook said a final decision will be made over the next week.

Ms Kearns also referred to apparent proposals to demolish and rebuild a wall between data cables running through the City of London and the embassy.

The “concealed chamber” will include hot-air extraction systems, which The Telegraph said suggests a system that could be used for espionage.

Labour backbencher Sarah Champion also told the Commons she was in “no doubt” the mega-embassy should not go ahead.