Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy noticeSir Keir Starmer is expected to formally approve a new 20,000 square metre Chinese embassy in central London despite espionage concerns, reports say. Proposals for the embassy were rejected by Tower Hamlets Council in 2022, with the Chinese opting not to appeal. MPs, peers and parliamentary staff were warned by the security service over suspected Chinese espionage via recruitment headhunters on Tuesday. He added that a decision on the Chinese embassy will be made by housing secretary Steve Reed in a “quasi-judicial capacity”.

Source: The Times November 21, 2025 05:58 UTC