The UK’s intelligence agencies have been prevented from submitting concerns to the Government about spying in the proposed 
super-embassy in London, because their evidence would also be disclosed to Beijing.
The embassy, which would be China’s largest in Europe, has prompted national security warnings from officials, including over a “spy dungeon” in the basement of the building.
Ministers have “called in” China’s planning application to be reconsidered after it was initially rejected by Tower Hamlets council.
MI5, MI6, GCHQ and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) are not allowed to give evidence about national security risks, which have previously included fears that China would tap into underground cables that serve the nearby City of London.
Ministers admitted that the agencies have not directly given evidence to Steve Reed, the Housing Secretary, who is responsible for deciding whether the construction will go ahead.
Reed is required to act independently of the Government, and can only consider evidence that has been submitted in public.
The Government has not used the special planning process for sensitive sites, which would have allowed evidence to be given in private.
A “section 321 direction” would allow ministers to collect sensitive evidence that would only be disclosed to those with necessary security clearance, such as intelligence officers and government officials.
But to use this process means that arguments about the embassy would also be visible to Beijing, which has prevented intelligence agencies from making a direct appeal to the Government.
China redacted the blueprints for the super-embassy, removing key details about a basement that critics say could be used for eavesdropping and interrogations.
Trump’s administration is concerned about the embassy, which could become a “nest of spies” in the heart of London’s financial district.
James Cleverly, the shadow housing secretary, said ministers were “hiding the advice of our security and intelligence services from the people deciding whether to approve the new super-embassy”.
“The embassy looks set to be rubber-stamped without proper thought about the serious implications it has for our national security.”
“This cannot be allowed to happen. Just like with the China spy case, our weak Prime Minister is exposing our country to potential international threats and trying to cover it up. He must urgently come clean and let the security services do their vital work.”
The intelligence agencies’ minimal role in the planning process was revealed in a series of questions to ministers in Parliament.
Officials considering the planning application have also been prevented from considering the China audit, the Home Office’s assessment of Chinese repression of Hong Kong dissidents in the UK, and evidence from the National Protective Security Authority, which advises organisations on threats from espionage and terrorism.
The application is set to be delayed further, after the deadline for giving a response to China had been pushed back to this month.
Critics say the Government will probably allow the application to go ahead because national security concerns have been deliberately played down.
Ministers are understood to be concerned about the diplomatic risk of blocking the embassy, after the issue was raised directly with Sir Keir by Xi Jinping in their first conversation after last year’s election.
telegraph.co.uk/world-news/202
super-embassy in London, because their evidence would also be disclosed to Beijing.
The embassy, which would be China’s largest in Europe, has prompted national security warnings from officials, including over a “spy dungeon” in the basement of the building.
Ministers have “called in” China’s planning application to be reconsidered after it was initially rejected by Tower Hamlets council.
MI5, MI6, GCHQ and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) are not allowed to give evidence about national security risks, which have previously included fears that China would tap into underground cables that serve the nearby City of London.
Ministers admitted that the agencies have not directly given evidence to Steve Reed, the Housing Secretary, who is responsible for deciding whether the construction will go ahead.
Reed is required to act independently of the Government, and can only consider evidence that has been submitted in public.
The Government has not used the special planning process for sensitive sites, which would have allowed evidence to be given in private.
A “section 321 direction” would allow ministers to collect sensitive evidence that would only be disclosed to those with necessary security clearance, such as intelligence officers and government officials.
But to use this process means that arguments about the embassy would also be visible to Beijing, which has prevented intelligence agencies from making a direct appeal to the Government.
China redacted the blueprints for the super-embassy, removing key details about a basement that critics say could be used for eavesdropping and interrogations.
Trump’s administration is concerned about the embassy, which could become a “nest of spies” in the heart of London’s financial district.
James Cleverly, the shadow housing secretary, said ministers were “hiding the advice of our security and intelligence services from the people deciding whether to approve the new super-embassy”.
“The embassy looks set to be rubber-stamped without proper thought about the serious implications it has for our national security.”
“This cannot be allowed to happen. Just like with the China spy case, our weak Prime Minister is exposing our country to potential international threats and trying to cover it up. He must urgently come clean and let the security services do their vital work.”
The intelligence agencies’ minimal role in the planning process was revealed in a series of questions to ministers in Parliament.
Officials considering the planning application have also been prevented from considering the China audit, the Home Office’s assessment of Chinese repression of Hong Kong dissidents in the UK, and evidence from the National Protective Security Authority, which advises organisations on threats from espionage and terrorism.
The application is set to be delayed further, after the deadline for giving a response to China had been pushed back to this month.
Critics say the Government will probably allow the application to go ahead because national security concerns have been deliberately played down.
Ministers are understood to be concerned about the diplomatic risk of blocking the embassy, after the issue was raised directly with Sir Keir by Xi Jinping in their first conversation after last year’s election.
telegraph.co.uk/world-news/202
Quote
Byron Wan
@Byron_Wan
The UK is too scared to simply say no to China.
Deputy PM Angela Rayner has pushed back the deadline for deciding whether to allow a new Chinese “super-embassy” to be built in London — she’s now delaying her ruling from Sep 9 to Oct 21 saying more time was needed for scrutiny x.com/Byron_Wan/stat…
Show more Deputy PM Angela Rayner has pushed back the deadline for deciding whether to allow a new Chinese “super-embassy” to be built in London — she’s now delaying her ruling from Sep 9 to Oct 21 saying more time was needed for scrutiny x.com/Byron_Wan/stat…