Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of “playing into China’s hand” after the Government gave a thumbs-up to the construction of the Chinese “super-embassy” yesterday.
Republican commentator Nora Lee Notzon told GB News the White House will have “deep and well-founded reservations” about the UK’s relationship with Beijing, with Sir Keir due to meet Xi Jinping in a matter of weeks.
Just yesterday, Donald Trump launched an extraordinary attack on the Prime Minister of his previously-approved Chagos deal, calling it an “act of great stupidity”.
Fears of espionage have long been raised over the surrender of the island, which houses a UK-US military base, due to close economic ties binding Beijing and Mauritius together.
On the matter of security, GB News star Eamonn Holmes asked: “Do you see a problem coming down the line in the sense that this Chinese embassy that got approval yesterday?
“We’re hearing that the White House has deep reservations about it. They’ve got concerns about national security.
No10 has been hit with a torpedo of criticism over national security since its ‘spineless’ decision yesterday
|
PA/GB NEWS
“But we know that system is going to China at the end of this month. Do you think Washington is going to have deep reservations, potentially, about the UK being seen to cosy up to China?
Ms Notzon agreed, responding: “I think the deep reservations, I think are well-founded. And you know, what we’ve seen right now as a result of this fracture between the allies is Canada has gone and done deals with China.
“Yes, we see Starmer doing that. I know Nigel Farage is going to the Middle East to develop relationships over there, which I think is a very wise move.
“But yes, it will create more concerns, just like the Chagos Islands is creating concerns because it just plays into China’s hand.”
LABOUR’S ‘CAPITULATION’ TO CHINA – READ MORE:
Mr Jenrick hit out at the ‘spineless’ decision
|
PA
Labour giving the go-ahead to the controversial site fuelled fervent retaliation, with long-time opponent Robert Jenrick slamming the Prime Minister’s “spineless” decision in a lengthy tirade over security fears.
The Reform MP raged: “Kowtow Keir’s decision to approve the Chinese embassy is a spineless decision that will compromise our security for decades.
“For years, the security agencies have warned about Beijing’s espionage, yet Starmer still gave the green light to a spy hub that sits over some of the most sensitive data cables in London.
“It’s a giant, metaphorical fortune cookie for President Xi and his band of fifth columnists.”
Mr Jenrick added the decision followed Mr Trump’s criticism of the Chagos surrender, adding: “It gives me no pleasure seeing Britain mocked on the world stage, but on this Trump is completely right.
“The Chagos surrender stinks. It began after a non-binding ruling by foreign judges, some of whom are from Russia and China, claimed we should give up the territory. Any Prime Minister with a backbone would refuse.”
Meanwhile, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp slammed the “shameless capitulation” to China’s demands, adding: “This planning consent appears linked to the prime minister’s imminent visit and linked to the economic deal.
“It seems clear to me that they are trading national security for economic links.”