Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch lent her voice to the growing calls for the government to reject China’s plans for a massive new embassy in central London. Addressing a crowd of hundreds of protesters gathered outside the proposed site at Royal Mint Court on Saturday, Badenoch urged the government to stop the construction of the so-called “mega-embassy” over security concerns.
The government is facing mounting pressure from both the public and political figures to block Beijing’s proposal for the expansive diplomatic compound. Demonstrators gathered to voice their opposition to the project, which they argue poses a threat to national security and the sovereignty of the UK.
In her speech, Badenoch echoed these sentiments, stating that the size and scale of the proposed embassy were cause for significant alarm. “This is not just another embassy – it is a vast, sprawling complex that would give the Chinese government an unacceptable level of influence and access right in the heart of our capital,” she told the crowd.
The Conservative leader’s participation in the protest underscores the growing bipartisan resistance to the embassy plans. Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum have joined forces to urge the government to reject the proposal, citing the potential security risks and the need to take a firm stance against China’s growing global ambitions.
Critics of the embassy project have raised a number of concerns, including the possibility of espionage, surveillance, and interference in UK affairs. The sheer size of the planned compound, which would cover an area equivalent to three football pitches, has also fuelled fears that it could be used to house a significant number of Chinese intelligence officers and diplomats.
In response to the growing opposition, the government has indicated that it is carefully reviewing the embassy plans. A spokesperson for the Foreign Office stated that “the security implications of this proposal are being considered thoroughly,” and that a decision would be made “in due course.”
However, protesters and political leaders alike are calling for swift action, arguing that the risks posed by the mega-embassy are too significant to ignore. Badenoch’s involvement in the demonstration underscores the depth of concern surrounding the issue and the determination of the government’s critics to prevent the project from moving forward.
As the debate continues, the outcome of the government’s review will be closely watched, with many hoping that the voices of the protesters and the warnings of security experts will ultimately prevail.
