China has been given permission to build a vast new embassy in the heart of London despite criticism from MPs and campaigners that it will be used as a base for spying and security crackdowns.
Local Government Secretary Steve Reed has approved the plans for the building at Royal Mint Court, a site near the Tower of London.
The decision removes a diplomatic hurdle in the relationship with Xi Jinping’s government, clearing the way for Sir Keir Starmer to make a widely-expected visit to China, possibly within weeks.
Critics have raised concerns about what are described as hidden rooms proposed for the site, as well as its close proximity to communication cables essential to the UK’s financial sector.
MPs and peers on the Labour-led Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy had called on ministers to reject the plans, warning the embassy, the biggest in Europe, would “create a hub for expanded intelligence-gathering and intimidation operations”.
Mr Reed insisted the decision was made following a “a quasi-judicial process”, adding: “This means they must make decisions fairly, based on evidence and planning rules.”
A written statement from the Communities Secretary also said: “All material considerations were taken into account when making this decision.
“The decision is now final unless it is successfully challenged in court.”
A Government spokesperson meanwhile insisted “countries establishing embassies in other countries’ capitals is a normal part of international relations”.
They added: “National security is our first duty.
“Intelligence agencies have been involved throughout the process and an extensive range of measures have been developed to manage any risks.”
The spokesman also insisted there were “clear security advantages” to the Chinese consolidating their seven different embassy sites in London into one large building.
Critics of the scheme are already planing to challenge the decision in the courts, with local residents raising money to launch a judicial review against the project.
Luke de Pulford, head of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, which has campaigned to halt the plans, told the Press Association: “This is the wrong decision for the UK, sending all the wrong signals. Wrong for dissidents, wrong for UK national security.
“Our three Cs China policy is less compete, challenge and cooperate, more cover-up, cave in, and cash out.”
Senior Conservatives lined up to criticise the decision, with shadow communities secretary Sir James Cleverly describing it as “a disgraceful act of cowardice from a Labour Government and Prime Minister utterly devoid of backbone”.
Dame Priti Patel, shadow foreign secretary, meanwhile said: “Keir Starmer has sold off our national security to the Chinese Communist Party with his shameful super embassy surrender.”
The Liberal Democrats described the decision as Sir Keir’s “biggest mistake yet”.
The party’s foreign affairs spokesman Calum Miller said: “The Prime Minister knows his decision today will amplify China’s surveillance efforts here in the UK and endanger the security of our data – not to speak of the safety of the brave Hong Kongers on British soil.
“It’s categorically wrong that he’s embraced these threats to further his flirtation with China.”
Read MoreStarmer approves China ‘super-embassy’ in London despite major security fears
Labour ‘out of step’ on oil and gas, says Badenoch as poll shows support
Trump’s latest attack on UK ‘not normal’, says top Starmer ally after Chagos U-turn
Trump calls Starmer’s Chagos Islands deal act of ‘great stupidity’
Church of England charities failed on safeguarding allegations – regulator
Prince Harry-Daily Mail trial live: Duke felt he was ‘attacked’, court told