Government ‘sought to influence’ Met Police on Chinese embassy, lawyer for residents claims

By Tom Lowe2025-02-12T11:39:00

Police decision to withdraw objection to David Chipperfield-designed redevelopment of Royal Mint site comes under fire on first day of public inquiry

A planning decision on proposals to build a Chinese ‘super-embassy’ in London has been “politically pre-determined at some of the highest levels of central government”, a lawyer for local residents has told a public inquiry into the scheme.

Simon Bell, representing the Royal Mint Court Residents Association, said the Home Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office had “sought to influence” independent public bodies which had objected to the proposals, including the Metropolitan Police.

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