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Via a letter published under UK FOI laws:

'The Foreign Secretary wrote to Angela Rayner in September asking her to “call in” the decision, ... paving the way for the [new Chinese mega] embassy to be approved.

'... the Chinese government resubmitted its plans in August, after Labour won power, and Ms Rayner decided to bring the application into her department for review.

'As a new embassy, I consider that this application is clearly in the interest of a foreign government, and of more than local importance. [What about the interests of the UK and FVEY?]

'The issue was raised personally by Xi Jinping at a meeting with Sir Keir Starmer in November ... [Is it foreign interference if it's naked?]

'Intelligence agencies reportedly warned the Government of highly sensitive cables directly under the site, amid concerns that they could be hacked by Chinese officials operating with diplomatic immunity inside the embassy. [EXCUSE ME?]

'The application was also previously opposed by the Metropolitan Police, ... that it would attract too many protesters and cause a public nuisance'. [Do Britons care about Taiwan/Tibet/Xinjiang/Hong Kong, though, to protest in numbers?]

While we debate Trump's foreign policy, we overlook the free kick being given by a FVEY member to the Chinese, including to the detriment of its own domestic security. As if MI5 wasn't burdened enough.

I thought the Poms hit rock-bottom when they couldn't chase 180 at the Junction in 50 overs a few months back. Yeah, they've done much worse.
https://archive.md/hLqVP