If China is a “daily threat” then “insane” not to cancel super-embassy, say Lib Dems

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to immediately block the Chinese super-embassy after MI5 Chief Ken McCallum said the state’s espionage posed a “daily threat” to UK national security.

The boss also revealed a Chinese counterintelligence operation was disrupted by MI5 as recently as last week.

In light of these revelations, the party’s foreign affairs spokesperson Calum Miller is ramping up his call for the Government to immediately block Beijing’s application for a super-embassy on the site of the Royal Mint, directly over sensitive cables into the City of London.

Calum Miller MP, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, said:

“The MI5 chief has offered absolute clarity on this labyrinthine issue, and the strongest confirmation yet of China’s threat status.

“Chinese efforts to target and undermine our national security were live as recently as last week. This revelation must be the final nail in the coffin of Beijing’s hopes for a super-embassy in the heart of London.

“It would be insane to allow it to go ahead – a blank cheque for China to hoover up sensitive data from London’s financial heart, and to threaten Hong Kongers who fled their repressive regime and we have vowed to protect.

“The Government must stand up to China, put its duty to our democracy first and refuse to allow the CCP to expand its spying network in Britain from the inside out.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor: 

Please see reporting here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0ex172rxwzo?app-referrer=push-notification.