Angela Rayner has been told she still has time to reject plans for Europe’s first ‘Chinese super embassy’ on the shores of the Thames, amid widespread security fears. The Deputy Prime Minister is expected to make the final decision about whether to give the 600,000 sq ft development next to the Tower of London the go-ahead in September, raising hopes after she failed to make a decision before the MPs’ summer recess.
MPs have voiced major concerns that the super embassy could risk British national security, as well as give rise to dissidents from Hong Kong feeling under further threat amid cases of harassment and physical attacks. The plans were previously rejected by Tower Hamlets Council in 2022, however, the Chinese government resubmitted the application shortly after Labour won the last general election believing they may be more supportive of the bid. Tom Tugendhat, the former Security Minister, told the Express that the decision on whether to grant China building rights “should be clear”.
“Members from across Parliament have raised objections and pointed to the problems of this
development. We have highlighted the disruption to London, the risk to the civil rights of people in
the UK, and our friends have pointed to the economic threat to the City.
“The decision should be clear, I hope the Deputy Prime Minister listens to those who have seen the threat China poses and respond. We have sacrificed enough in the hope of seeing a different partnership, we should face the truth – this is Xi’s China and it is hostile to our interests.”
Alex Brooks, the local Tory spokesman for Poplar and Limehouse where the super embassy would be built, said: “The Government still has time to reject the application and make a decision which does not lead to a huge security risk.
“The proposal should instead be opened up to deliver economic priorities like
expanded housing supply.”
In March the Express revealed that 43% of Britons oppose the plan, compared to just 13% who support the proposal.
It’s believed Foreign Secretary David Lammy wrote to Ms Rayner in September 2024 asking her to “call in” the decision and overrule the council’s opposition, arguing it wold be “in the interest” of Beijing.
Ms Rayner is understood to be set to make the final decision in early September, after MPs return from recess.