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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Eleni Courea Political correspondent

Chinese embassy approval could be unlawful if UK ministers gave advance assurances

Banner Sir Keir Starmer United Kingdom China Christopher Berry
People protesting at the Royal Mint Court, in Tower Hill in London, against the proposal for a Chinese super-embassy
The proposed Chinese embassy near Tower Bridge has attracted fierce opposition because of security, human rights and planning concerns. Photograph: Andy Hall/The Observer

Approving a Chinese super-embassy in east London could be unlawful if ministers gave Beijing assurances about the project in advance, one of the UK’s top planning lawyers has concluded.

If Keir Starmer or his team made promises to the Chinese government about the embassy, it could constitute “actual or apparent predetermination” of the planning application, according to the legal opinion by Lord Banner.

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