The UK Government is reportedly set to postpone its final decision on the Chinese Government’s proposed new embassy near the Tower of London.
The original deadline of October 21 is expected to be pushed back, with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government citing changes following last month’s ministerial reshuffle as the reason for the delay.
The plans, initially rejected by Tower Hamlets Council in 2022, have attracted scrutiny from multiple quarters, according to The Telegraph.
Critics have speculated that recent political developments, including the collapse of the China spying case and questions over Labour’s stance, may also be influencing the Government’s timetable.
Security concerns have been raised internationally, with reports indicating that the US Government has expressed reservations about the proposed embassy. The postponement allows further consideration of these issues before a final decision is made.