Maybe people don't realise what we are up against with this mega-embassy stuff. It's not just China's pressure, but shocking tactics from our own government. Long-ish post 
It's worth underlining that the *stringently denied* the presence of sensitive cabling near Royal Mint Court. Off record, of course. They joined a chorus of the usual suspects in saying it was all made up, overblown, or 'client journalism' (
).
OK, so was it made up?
Today, the BBC reported that Barclays had a trading floor *in the building* necessitating fibre connection to financial centres. Link: bbc.co.uk/news/articles/
This follows the original report from Richard Holmes about security services objecting to the previous application, on grounds of proximity to sensitive cabling: inews.co.uk/news/politics/
The Mail (Glen Owen and Dan Hodges) reported that Scotland Yard had also raised concerns: dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1
The Telegraph reported that Innovate UK (govt security watchdog) had also raised risks: telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/2
And then, of course, the White House, having clearly spoken to the UK Embassy in Washington, expressed their own concern: thetimes.com/uk/politics/ar
I make that five sources at least, plus many others who haven't gone on record. Either these people, and all their sources, and the US Government is dabbling in an unsourced conspiracy theory, or there's something we should actually be worried about here?
Of course, we can understand the government wanting to keep sensitive information quiet. But denying the story and attempting to rubbish the reputations of journalists working on it? That's over the line.
The cabling risk is real. The question is, if and when the government green-lights this disastrous embassy, how will they mitigate? Seems the only option is the re-route the cables. How many millions in taxpayer cash, and how much disruption to major roads will this entail?
We will likely not get answers to these important questions, because the government can announce the embassy decision at any time - even while parliament is not sitting, before Sept 9th.
This is a deeply sorry episode, and anyone in public life should be worried about it - not just the embassy decision, but the disreputable behaviour surrounding it.
It's worth underlining that the *stringently denied* the presence of sensitive cabling near Royal Mint Court. Off record, of course. They joined a chorus of the usual suspects in saying it was all made up, overblown, or 'client journalism' ().
OK, so was it made up?
Today, the BBC reported that Barclays had a trading floor *in the building* necessitating fibre connection to financial centres. Link: bbc.co.uk/news/articles/
This follows the original report from Richard Holmes about security services objecting to the previous application, on grounds of proximity to sensitive cabling: inews.co.uk/news/politics/
The Mail (Glen Owen and Dan Hodges) reported that Scotland Yard had also raised concerns: dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1
The Telegraph reported that Innovate UK (govt security watchdog) had also raised risks: telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/2
And then, of course, the White House, having clearly spoken to the UK Embassy in Washington, expressed their own concern: thetimes.com/uk/politics/ar
I make that five sources at least, plus many others who haven't gone on record. Either these people, and all their sources, and the US Government is dabbling in an unsourced conspiracy theory, or there's something we should actually be worried about here?
Of course, we can understand the government wanting to keep sensitive information quiet. But denying the story and attempting to rubbish the reputations of journalists working on it? That's over the line.
The cabling risk is real. The question is, if and when the government green-lights this disastrous embassy, how will they mitigate? Seems the only option is the re-route the cables. How many millions in taxpayer cash, and how much disruption to major roads will this entail?
We will likely not get answers to these important questions, because the government can announce the embassy decision at any time - even while parliament is not sitting, before Sept 9th.
This is a deeply sorry episode, and anyone in public life should be worried about it - not just the embassy decision, but the disreputable behaviour surrounding it.Quote
Luke de Pulford
@lukedepulford
A quick post about what some of the government’s comms people have been doing regarding the 
mega-embassy cabling risk story. Worth knowing about this, as I believe several ministers will be unaware.
1. After @Richard_AHolmes broke the story late last year about the security
Show more mega-embassy cabling risk story. Worth knowing about this, as I believe several ministers will be unaware.
1. After @Richard_AHolmes broke the story late last year about the security