Sir Keir Starmer was on Tuesday night branded China's 'useful idiot' as he prepared to approve its plan for a mega–embassy in London despite a growing backlash from his MPs. 'He is putting our national security at risk by acting as Peking's poodle. Luke de Pulford, of the Inter–Parliamentary Alliance on China, said: 'The embassy issue goes far beyond party politics, touching on key matters of national security. Join the debate Should national security ever be compromised for the sake of trade and diplomatic relations with China? Surrendering our security for trade was always a bad policy, but surrendering our security while exports plummet is, frankly, insanity.'

Source: Daily Mail January 14, 2026 14:42 UTC