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

Exclusive: If Keir Starmer made promises to China it could constitute ‘predetermination’, Lord Banner legal opinion concludes

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.