‘Weak’ Keir Starmer savaged over Chinese ‘spy hub’ in central London | World | News
The Prime Minister has been accused of being “too weak” to stand up to China after it emerged a proposed new ‘super embassy’ will contain a secret room that could be used to spy on some of Britain’s most sensitive information. New unredacted documents have revealed what appears to be a hidden chamber underneath the proposed site in the former Royal Mint building in East London.
The triangular-shaped room measures approximately 130 feet across and is around 10 feet deep, but it’s the positioning that has analysts concerned, as the undisclosed space lies just feet from a vital cable carrying information between some of London’s top financial sectors.
According to the Telegraph, the room under the embassy has several air extraction systems, which could be used to cool the space if it contained heat-generating equipment like advanced computer systems. It’s feared the triangular room could be just the tip of the iceberg, with a reported 208 other unidentified spaces underneath the proposed Chinese structure.
Despite the worrying apparent findings, Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly poised to announce the long-awaited decision that plans for the controversial embassy will finally be approved later this month.
Dame Priti Patel told the Daily Express: “These latest revelations are yet another reason to reject China’s sinister plan for a spy hub super embassy in the heart of our capital.
“Keir Starmer is too weak to stand up to China, and kowtows to Xi Jinping at every opportunity, even when it means putting Britain’s security at risk.
“The Conservatives are clear: Labour should put British interests first for once and throw out the embassy proposal.”
Dame Priti’s comments come as nine MPs raised security concerns and warned the embassy could be used to “step up intimidation” against dissidents in a letter to Communities Secretary Steve Reed.
The MPs, including Sarah Champion – who is a member of parliament’s Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, said concerns about the proposal are “significant and unresolved”.
They cite “the recent track record of Chinese espionage cases, interference activities, and issuing of bounties against UK-based Hong Kongers”, as well as “the fact that this embassy would sit above sensitive infrastructure critical to both the UK’s economic and national security”.
The Times reported that the announcement to approve the embassy would be made ahead of a trip to China the Prime Minister is widely expected to make.
It would be the first by a prime minister since Theresa May’s visit in 2018.
MPs from across the political spectrum have urged the Government to reject China’s application for a new embassy on the site of the former Royal Mint, citing security concerns.
