Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has publicly demanded the government halt China's controversial plans for a vast new embassy in central London, joining hundreds of protesters at the proposed site on Saturday.
Leader of Opposition Stands With Protesters
On Saturday 17 January 2026, the prospective leader addressed a significant crowd gathered outside the Royal Mint Court location near the Tower of London. Protesters, many waving flags and banners, chanted slogans including "no mega-embassy" as security concerns mounted.
In a powerful speech, Badenoch framed her opposition around principles of liberty and national security. "I am standing here with you today because I believe in freedom," she stated. "I'm standing with you today, because I know what it is like to live without freedom."
She drew a direct line from her personal experience to the current geopolitical standoff, warning against the influence of authoritarian regimes. "We take it for granted in the United Kingdom because we have had it for so long, but those who have lived under oppressive regimes... know what that suffering is like, and we do not want to see that here."
Security Fears Over Secret Rooms and Data Cables
The opposition leader's call to action is backed by specific and alarming details about the embassy's proposed design. According to reports, the plans include 208 secret rooms and a hidden chamber.
Critics argue the secret basement rooms could potentially be used to detain Chinese dissidents who have sought refuge in Britain. Furthermore, the hidden chamber's planned proximity to crucial data cables linking the City of London with Canary Wharf has raised fears of espionage targeting the UK's financial heart.
Badenoch levelled serious accusations against the Chinese state, listing actions she said threatened British sovereignty. She cited China for having "harassed and sanctioned our MPs", abused British nationals, aided enemies like Russia, and disrupted global trade.
Accusations of Government Weakness
In a sharp political attack, Badenoch accused the current government of timidity in the face of these threats. "What worries me is that we have a Government right now that seems to be scared of China," she declared.
She characterised the administration as "afraid, too weak, [with] no backbone," and called for a government that would "act in the British national interest". Her stance places significant pressure on ministers, who have promised a final decision on planning permission by 20 January and have so far declined to comment.
A Defining Decision for UK Foreign Policy
The protest and Badenoch's high-profile involvement have transformed the planning decision into a major test of the UK's stance towards Beijing. The call to reject the embassy is now framed not just as a local planning issue, but as a critical moment for national security and moral leadership.
With the deadline imminent, the government must weigh diplomatic relations against mounting domestic pressure and security warnings. The outcome will send a clear signal about Britain's willingness to confront perceived threats from the Chinese state on its own soil.
