Security watchdog condemns 'piecemeal and not robust' China mega-embassy decision as Starmer braces for Trump fury over 'kotowing' to Beijing
Parliament's spy watchdog condemned the decision to give the green light to the China mega-embassy today.
Keir Starmer has risked provoking Donald Trump again after plans for the London site were approved despite fears national security will be in jeopardy.
Critics accused the PM - who is expected to confirm he will visit China soon - of lacking the 'backbone' to stand up to Beijing and of 'kowtowing' to the Asian superpower.
Documents released alongside the decision showed MI5 warned that it is 'not realistic to expect to be able wholly to eliminate each and every potential risk'.
But Parliament's powerful cross-party Intelligence and Security Committee warned that the process had been 'piecemeal' and not 'robust'.
Chairman Lord Beamish - a Labour former defence minister - said: 'The process within Government was not effectively co-ordinated, nor was it as robust as we would have expected for a matter of such consequence.
'We were surprised both at the lack of clarity as to the role that national security considerations play in planning decisions, and that advice was prepared without some of the key facts at hand.
'Key reports lacked the detail necessary, were dealt with piecemeal, and appeared not to have been kept up to date.
'We will be writing to the Prime Minister with our concerns.'
China is reportedly planning to build a secret underground room that could be used to spy on the UK at the site of its controversial 'super embassy' in London. Pictured: Concept plans for the embassy which will be located on the former Royal Mint site
The Government has signed off the plans for a new Chinese embassy this morning, despite furious opposition from many MPs. Pictured protesters including Tibetans, Uyghurs and Hongkongers last week
The announcement could pave the way for Sir Keir Starmer to confirm he will visit Beijing in the coming months
Critics accused the Prime Minister of lacking the 'backbone' to stand up to Beijing
The Government has signed off the plans for the London site, in the face of furious opposition from many MPs
The decision was announced shortly after Mr Trump had condemned Sir Keir for 'giving away' the Chagos Islands to Mauritius in an 'act of great stupidity'.
The US President said handing the British Indian Ocean Territory, which includes the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, was a sign of 'total weakness'.
Opposition parties have fumed at Sir Keir for giving away the territory to Mauritius, a country that is viewed as an ally of China.
But ministers have insisted the deal is necessary because international court rulings in favour of Mauritian claims to the islands had threatened the future of the base.
The Government has agreed to hand over the islands but will pay billions of pounds to lease back the strategically-important Diego Garcia.
In an extraordinary attack on his Truth Social site, Mr Trump said: 'Shockingly, our 'brilliant' NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia, the site of a vital U.S. Military Base, to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER.
'There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness.'
The US President highlighted the decision as a reason for his continued pursuit of Greenland, which is a semi-autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
'The UK giving away extremely important land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY, and is another in a very long line of National Security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired,' he added.
The Speaker of the US House of Representatives recently raised concerns about the plans for a Chinese 'mega-embassy' in London.
Mike Johnson, a Republican ally of Mr Trump, said the security threats raised 'seem real'.
'We have to let our friends here make their decision. But if it were me, I would be very cautious about that,' he added in an interview with The Times this weekend.
Publishing a 240-page assessment on Tuesday following years of delays and wrangling over the 'mega-embassy', Communities Secretary Steve Reed concluded that the project can go ahead.
'The Inspector recommended that the applications be approved and planning permission and listed building consent be granted, subject to conditions,' he said in a letter.
'For the reasons given below, the Secretary of State agrees with the Inspector's conclusions, except where stated, and agrees with her recommendations.
'He has decided to grant planning permission and listed building consent, subject to conditions.'
Mr Reed added in a statement to MPs: 'All material considerations were taken into account when making this decision.
'The decision is now final unless it is successfully challenged in court.'
The proposals are said to include 208 secret rooms and a hidden chamber. Critics argue that there is a risk from the close proximity to data cables, crucial for the City of London's operation.
But no concerns were raised by the Home Office or the Foreign Office about the data cables.
And Government officials insist that 'consolidating' China's existing seven diplomatic sites into one will bring 'clear security advantages'.
Downing Street on Tuesday said risks around secret rooms in the planned new embassy were 'being appropriately managed'.
The PM's official spokesman said: 'National security is number one priority.
'The Home Office and Foreign Office both provided views during the planning process on potential security issues around the build and confirmed in writing when these were resolved.
'China is committed, as we've said, to replace seven different sites that make up its current diplomatic footprint in London with the new embassy, which will clearly bring security advantages.
'And regarding so-called secret rooms, classified facilities are a standard part of any significant diplomatic presence, including British embassies.
'And the Government has seen the plans and we're content that any risks are being appropriately managed.'
Ministers have seen the unredacted plans for the embassy, the spokesman said.
It is understood they are aware what the rooms will be used for and there are safeguards in place to ensure it is not torture.
Downing Street also suggested opponents of the new Chinese embassy are ''either naive or recklessly isolationist'.
The PM's spokesman added: 'It's of course a normal part of international diplomatic relations for countries to agree to establish embassies in each other's capitals.
'They are the first line of communication between countries. They offer vital help to their nationals when they need it, and above all, they help us to advance our economic, cultural and defence goals abroad to deliver for, and protect, our citizens at home.
'Those who don't accept this basic premise are either naïve or recklessly isolationist.'
In a joint letter to ministers, MI5 director general Sir Ken McCallum and GCHQ's director Anne Keast-Butler wrote: 'MI5 has over 100 years of experience managing national security risks associated with foreign diplomatic premises in London.
'For the Royal Mint Court site, as with any foreign embassy on UK soil, it is not realistic to expect to be able wholly to eliminate each and every potential risk. (And even if this were a practicable goal, it would be irrational to drive 'embassy-generated risk' down to zero when numerous other threat vectors are so central to the national security risks we face in the present era.)
'However, the collective work across UK intelligence agencies and HMG departments to formulate a package of national security mitigations for the site has been, in our view, expert, professional and proportionate.'
The long-awaited announcement will trigger another major legal battle as opponents try to block the embassy project in the courts.
Senior Tory MP Sir James Cleverly, the shadow communities secretary, said: 'This is a disgraceful act of cowardice from a Labour Government and Prime Minister utterly devoid of backbone.
'The first duty of any Government is to keep the country safe. But Keir Starmer has relegated that most critical priority beneath his desperate desire for Beijing's approval.
'Labour's latest sell-out confirms they cannot be trusted to stand up for Britain on the international stage.'
Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said: 'Keir Starmer has sold off our national security to the Chinese Communist Party with his shameful super embassy surrender.
'Throughout his dismal premiership to date, the PM has kowtowed to Beijing at every opportunity, including over Chagos. And now, once again, he is giving Xi Jinping what he wants - a colossal spy hub in the heart of our capital.'
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp added: 'Labour don't have the backbone to stand up to the Chinese Communist Party. Labour are set to wave through a mega spy hub, packed with unaccounted-for secret rooms, right next to critical national infrastructure.
'The Chinese state is a hostile intelligence power. Approving this site sends the signal that Labour are willing to trade our national security for diplomatic convenience. The Labour Government should grow a backbone and reverse this decision for the sake of our national interest.'
The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China said the planning approval was the 'wrong decision for the UK'.
Luke de Pulford, a co-founder of the group, said: '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.'
MPs - including from within Labour ranks - have warned that the embassy could be used to 'step up intimidation' against dissidents.
They had urged Mr Reed - who oversees the planning system - to block the application.
Kerry Moscogiuri, Amnesty International UK's chief executive, said: 'Approving China's so-called 'super embassy' risks super-charging the transnational repression we already know is happening in the UK, turning an existing threat into what many will perceive as a centralised command centre for intimidation.
'Chinese and Hong Kong activists, students and refugees are already facing harassment and attempts to silence them, including through bounties placed on the heads of Hong Kong activists living here in exile.
'This decision also risks signalling tolerance for the bullying tactics used by Beijing and Hong Kong authorities against critics overseas.'
But Ciaran Martin, former chief executive of GCHQ's National Cyber Security Centre, last week dismissed concerns about the proposed embassy's location.
In an article for The Times, he said the plans would have been thoroughly scrutinised by the UK's security services, and that 'no Government would override their advice were they to say the risks were too great'.
The Mail on Sunday revealed that planning documents for the embassy included 'spy dungeons' (highlighted in red above) - two suites of basement rooms and a tunnel, with their purpose redacted for security reasons
Ministers dismissed concerns about the embassy posing a threat to crucial data cables nearby
Critics had urged Communities Secretary Steve Reed - who oversees the planning system - to block the application
A Government spokesman said: 'This planning decision has been taken independently by the Secretary of State for Housing.
'This follows a process that began in 2018 when the then Foreign Secretary provided formal diplomatic consent for the site.
'More broadly, countries establishing embassies in other countries' capitals is a normal part of international relations.
'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.
'Following extensive negotiations in recent months, the Chinese Government has agreed to consolidate its seven current sites in London into one site, bringing clear security advantages.'
Downing Street insisted the US still supported the deal to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius despite Mr Trump calling it an 'act of great stupidity'.
The PM's official spokesman said: 'Our position hasn't changed on Diego Garcia or the treaty that has been signed.
'The US supports the deal and the President explicitly recognised its strength last year.
'All our Five Eyes allies support it too and they all understand the national security capabilities the base provides.'
Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty earlier said the Government will have conversations with the Trump administration in the coming days to 'remind them of the strength' of the Chagos deal.
'The agreement we have struck is vital for protecting our national security and that of our allies in guaranteeing the long-term future of a base that is crucially important for the UK and the US,' he said.
'Our deal secures the operations of the joint US-UK base on Diego Garcia for generations. It's got that backing across Five Eyes, as well as other international partners.
'In May, the US secretary of state said: 'The Trump administration determined that this agreement secures the long-term, stable and effective operation of the joint US, UK military facility on Diego Garcia.'
'We will, of course, have discussions with the administration in the coming days to remind them of the strength of this deal and how it secures the base.'
