Fiona Bruce stepped in during the debate (Image: BBC)
Tonight’s BBC Question Time saw Labour and Conservative MPs in attendance clashing from early doors – with host Fiona Bruce forced to step in. Labour minister Douglas Alexander represented Sir Keir Starmer’s party at the weekly BBC show. While discussing the Government’s relationship with China, he clashed with Tory MP James Cartlidge.
The pair disagreed on the new Chinese “mega-embassy” that’s to be built near the Tower of London. Mr Cartlidge claimed: “Of course China’s going to have an embassy. We didn’t know they were going to have these so called dark rooms down in the basement.”
At which point Mr Alexander jumped in: “Okay, so let’s talk about the embassy. Let’s talk about the embassy.”
In an attempt to get things back on track, Mrs Bruce interjected: “Okay let’s talk briefly about the embassy and then let’s bring the audience in.”
The Prime Minister faced calls from MPs to reject plans for the new embassy, though eventually approved them earlier this month.
Critics say it could be used as a base for spying and could pose a security risk. They also voiced concerns that sensitive financial cabling nearby could be intercepted.
Government spokesperson said intelligence agencies were involved in the process and “an extensive range of measures have been developed to manage any risks”.
The panelists were discussing the proposed Chinese ‘mega-embassy’. (Image: Getty)
China also claimed that it “followed the customary diplomatic practices, as well as necessary protocol and procedures” and the new embassy is in the spirit of “promoting understanding and friendship”.
The “dark rooms” that Mr Cartlidge mentioned appear to refer to a 208-room underground complex which, according to an unredacted document published by the Telegraph, could be built alongside some of Britain’s most sensitive cables.
The drawings suggest one of the rooms could run alongside cables transmitting financial data to the City of London. The news outlet also reported there would be a hot-air extraction system in the room adjacent to the data, which could suggest heat-generating equipment such as advanced computers.
A Chinese Embassy spokesperson said claims that the new embassy poses a security risk are “completely groundless and malicious slander, and we firmly oppose it”.
They added: “Anti-China forces are using security risks as an excuse to interfere with the British government’s consideration over this planning application. This is a despicable move that is unpopular and will not succeed.”
