ICO urged to force release of Ministers’ discussions on unredacted Chinese super-spy embassy as PM accused of “conspiracy of silence”

EMBARGO: 22:30 Monday 19th January

Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Calum Miller MP, has described the Government’s lack of transparency on Chinese embassy decisions as an “offence to the British public” as he demands for the information watchdog to step in ahead of Tuesday’s [20th January] deadline.

The Liberal Democrats have called on the Information Commissioners’ Office (ICO) to force the Government to release records of internal discussions regarding the Chinese super-embassy, as the potential super spy base’s approval looms ahead of Tuesday’s [20th January] deadline.

The Telegraph reported last week that Government figures were shown details about unredacted plans of the embassy not available to the public. However, under pressure from parliamentarians including Calum Miller, Home Office Minister Matthew Pennycook refused to comment on the content of those details.

The Government is seeking to argue this is a purely planning decision despite the very clear political, diplomatic and security considerations. Recent Freedom of Information requests put to the Government requesting details of discussions between ministers, including the Prime Minister, have been rejected.

The Liberal Democrats have said the Government’s continued “conspiracy of silence” is “actively contributing” to the CCP’s deception of the British people and persecution of brave Hong Kong protestors alike. The party’s foreign affairs spokesperson pointed to “menacing” sanctions and detentions brought down on innocent British residents which could be expanded by the super-embassy set for establishment at the old Royal Mint.

The party has written to the Information Commissioner to formally request the ICO steps in. The ICO can act without any request, however.

Calum Miller MP, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, said:

“The ICO must force the Government to release the minutes it holds on Ministers’ discussions of the unredacted plans for a potential super spy mansion at the old Royal Mint.

“It’s an offence to the public that the Government is maintaining this conspiracy of silence over what it knew and when regarding secret rooms hidden in private plans for the embassy.

“The Chinese Communist Party is amping up its surveillance of the British public and its persecution of the brave Hong Kongers protesting its regime. The Government is all but aiding those efforts by refusing to come clean - which is why the watchdog must step in, now, and force the release of Ministers’ discussions on these crucial plans before it’s too late.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

First reported by LBC.

The ICO has the power to force public authorities to disclose information they have previously refused to disclose, for example via a decision notice or enforcement notice. Please see details here.

See link to the Telegraph article discussed above here and the aforementioned Freedom of Information request rejections reported here.