One of the UK's top planning lawyers has said it would be "unlawful" for the government to grant planning permission for a Chinese "mega embassy" near the Tower of London.
The opinion, from Lord Banner KC, was submitted to the government on Monday, just ahead of the final deadline for those opposed to the scheme to have their say.
Opponents are stepping up their fight against China's plan to turn the historic former home of the Royal Mint into the largest embassy of any country in Europe.
Residents of flats forming part of the Royal Mint estate commissioned the legal document in a bid to derail the scheme, as they fear China, which is now their landlord, will ultimately force them to leave their homes.
China is looking to develop Royal Mint Court into a replacement for the far smaller premises it has occupied a few miles away in the West End of London since 1877.
