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Sir Keir Starmer is facing a furious backlash after giving the green light to a new Chinese mega-embassy in the heart of London. The Government approved the plans for the vast new building at Royal Mint Court despite warnings from critics that it will be used as a base for spying and security crackdowns.

Tory Shadow Local Government Secretary Sir James Cleverly branded the move "a disgraceful act of cowardice from a Labour Government and Prime Minister utterly devoid of backbone". He said: "The first duty of any Government is to keep the country safe. But Keir Starmer has relegated that most critical priority beneath his desperate desire for Beijing's approval.

"Labour's latest sell-out confirms they cannot be trusted to stand up for Britain on the international stage."

Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel said Sir Keir Starmer had "sold off our national security to the Chinese Communist Party with his shameful super embassy surrender".

She added: "Throughout his dismal premiership to date, the PM has kowtowed to Beijing at every opportunity, including over Chagos. And now, once again, he is giving Xi Jinping what he wants - a colossal spy hub in the heart of our capital."

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp added that Labour doesn't have "the backbone to stand up to the Chinese Communist Party".

He said: "The Chinese state is a hostile intelligence power. Approving this site sends the signal that Labour are willing to trade our national security for diplomatic convenience.

"The Labour Government should grow a backbone and reverse this decision for the sake of our national interest."

Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick added: "This is a terrible decision and one that will damage the UK's security for decades to come. This farce began under the Tories and has been finalised under Labour. It's a classic example of the failure of the two old parties to put Britain's interests and security first."

The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, which has been campaigning against the plans, said the approval was the "wrong decision for the UK".

A Labour peer and top barrister branded the decision as a "dangerous" concession.

Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws, co-chairperson of the cross-party Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, said: "Whilst British parliamentarians, like myself, remain unjustly sanctioned and British Citizen Jimmy Lai remains imprisoned on political charges, the UK must take a principled stand.

"We cannot reinforce the dangerous notion that Britain will continue to make concessions - such as granting a mega-embassy - without reciprocity or regard for the rule of law."

Residents living close to the location of the new embassy have vowed to continue to challenge the plans.

Mark Nygate, treasurer of the Royal Mint Residents' Association, said: "The residents are determined to keep fighting today's decision.

"Along with our diaspora partners we have reached out worldwide with our story, and highlighted the issues and earlier legal opinions that will be the basis for our challenge."

The decision removes a diplomatic hurdle in the relationship with Xi Jinping's government, clearing the way for the Prime Minister to make a widely expected visit to China.

Local Government Secretary Steve Reed insisted the decision was made following a "a quasi-judicial process", adding: "This means they must make decisions fairly, based on evidence and planning rules."

A written statement from the Communities Secretary added: "All material considerations were taken into account when making this decision. The decision is now final unless it is successfully challenged in court."

A Government spokesperson said that "countries establishing embassies in other countries' capitals is a normal part of international relations".

They added: "National security is our first duty. Intelligence agencies have been involved throughout the process and an extensive range of measures have been developed to manage any risks."