Starmer 'set to approve' Chinese mega-embassy

Source says site a 'formality' after MI5 and MI6 approval

- HOLLY EVANS

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to formally approve a new 20,000 square metre Chinese embassy in central London despite espionage concerns, reports say.

The prime minister has reportedly been given the green light by MI5 and MI6, with The Times informed by sources that the Home Office and the Foreign Office will not raise any formal objections to the plan.

The deadline for the decision has been extended to 10 December, with both departments, which represent the security services, set to submit their responses to the government over the coming days.

Sir Keir is planning to travel to China for his first bilateral visit in January or February next year, as the UK seeks to strengthen economic and diplomatic relations with Beijing. However, sources have told The Guardian that this visit is contingent on the embassy’s planning proposals being greenlit next month.

A Whitehall source said the embassy’s approval was likely to be a “formality”.