Cyber experts have warned the UK Government that a new Chinese ‘super-embassy’ could “wiretrap” central London if the project is given a green light.
It comes as China has said it wants to redevelop the five acres of land at Royal Mint Court, opposite the Tower of London, into the largest embassy in Europe.
But the plan has sparked a huge backlash from local residents, as well as human rights campaigners and several prominent politicians, over national security fears.
Counter-terrorism officers in Met Police also rejected the plans, arguing the embassy would cover a “substantial footprint” and potentially attract significant protest activity.
Now, the Conservative Party has reportedly unveiled concerns raised by Innovate UK, the Government’s experts on cyber-physical infrastructure, The Telegraph reported.
The warning was contained in an exchange, revealed under transparency laws from October 2024, which were sent to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
According to the newspaper, a senior figure from Innovate UK whose name is redacted in the published correspondence, sent an email urging the department to intervene in the decision over whether to approve the plans for the embassy.
Experts warned the local authority “is woefully unprepared to handle an application of this nature”, particularly as it has a national security perspective.
“The Embassy Plan conflicts with the Integrated Review of Defence and Foreign Policy 2021, Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021, Electronic Communications (Security) Measures Regulations 2022,” the expert reportedly wrote.
Two years earlier, the same expert warned the embassy could have “significant effects beyond their immediate locality.”
Concerns have been raised that in theory the embassy, which according to published plans includes underground rooms, could get access to City communication lines, The Telegraph reported.
Kevin Hollinrake, the shadow communities secretary, told the newspaper: “The Labour Government are playing fast and loose with Britain’s national security.
“In their desperate attempt to woo the Chinese government, they are opening up the City of London to Chinese hackers and spies.
“Labour have been caught red-handed trying to cover up the alarm sounded by the Government’s own cyber-experts.
“The Government should follow the example of Ireland and Australia in blocking embassy development which puts our country at risk.”
The original embassy plans were blocked under the Conservative government following objections from British intelligence agencies and Scotland Yard, who raised concerns about the proximity of sensitive data cables that could be intercepted by Chinese spies.
But the application was resubmitted in January this year, shortly before Chancellor Rachel Reeves visited China. President Xi Jinping is said to have personally lobbied for the embassy’s approval.
The government has yet to comment publicly on the renewed application. Meanwhile, internal divisions persist over whether to officially classify China as a hostile state alongside Iran and Russia.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Foreign Secretary David Lammy are reportedly in favour of adding China to the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme — designed to expose covert activity — but Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are said to have opposed the move.
Concerns over Chinese influence in the UK have been growing. Unofficial Chinese "police service stations" have reportedly operated in Croydon, Hendon, Glasgow and Belfast, allegedly used to monitor and intimidate dissidents.
Amnesty International has also raised concerns that Chinese embassies are being used as surveillance hubs, warning of a "sinister pattern of transnational repression" targeting Chinese and Hong Kong students in the UK.
The embassy site would be situated between London's financial hubs in the City and Canary Wharf, and near three major data centres — further heightening security fears.
A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy previously denied allegations that the site could be used for spying, saying: "Anti-China elements are always keen on slandering and attacking China."
The Home Office has been contacted by The Standard for comment.
A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy said: "The resubmitted planning application for the new Chinese Embassy project has taken into full consideration the UK’s planning policy and guidance as well as views of all relevant parties. It is a high-quality development scheme.
“Host countries have the international obligation to support and facilitate the building of the premises of diplomatic missions. It is hoped that the UK side will consider and approve this planning application based on merits of the matter and relevant professional opinions.
“Chinese Embassy in the UK is committed to promoting understanding and the friendship between the Chinese and British peoples and the development of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. Building the new embassy would help us better perform such responsibilities.”
