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Approving China embassy would be unlawful, UK government told
Legal expert Lord Banner KC argues planning permission for China's embassy must be rejected due to redacted plans and potential security risks, highlighting diplomatic immunity concerns.
- The legal opinion from Lord Banner KC was submitted to the UK government on Monday, advising that approving China's 'mega' embassy at Royal Mint Court would be unlawful due to listed structures and omitted details.
- Opponents say residents of the Royal Mint estate commissioned a legal opinion fearing China might force them to leave, and former housing secretary Angela Rayner called the scheme in last year.
- China's planning consultants responded to queries about room uses but declined to explain others, with Lord Banner warning that the Chinese Embassy at the Royal Mint would benefit from diplomatic immunity.
- The Royal Mint Court Residents' Association demanded the government end the application, urged Housing Secretary Steve Reed to receive unredacted plans, and noted a decision is expected by 21 October.
- Security advisers noted fears from Hong Kong dissidents and Chinese pro-democracy activists about detentions, while Foreign Office and Home Office flagged emergency response risks and Conservatives warned of fibre optic access concerns.
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September 9, 2025.-One of the UK's leading urban planning lawyers has declared that it would be "illegal" for the government to grant building permits for a Chinese "mega-embassy" near the Tower of London, BBC.com reported.The ruling, by Lord ...
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