Kemi Badenoch led hundreds of protesters in opposition to China’s proposed new mega-embassy in central London.
Crowds were warned plain clothes Chinese police officers were among those gathered at the site of the former Royal Mint.
It was the last chance for demonstrators to voice their concerns ahead of the government’s decision on the controversial planning application on Tuesday.
Chants of “mega embassy, mega mistake”, “don’t bow to China” and “no mega embassy” rang out, while protesters raised their middle fingers towards the huge site.
The location between the financial districts of the City of London and Canary Wharf has raised security concerns the embassy will be used as a spy hub, while dissidents fear it will be used as a base for repression.
The Tory leader took to a makeshift stage next to the site to assure protesters: “I stand with you”.
“I tell you, I will always fight for freedom. I am calling on the government to stop this decision,” Ms Badenoch said.
“We do not want a country that spies on our MPs having a super embassy right here, and I will do everything in my power to continue speaking on your behalf.”
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called for the embassy developments to be blocked. Pic: PA.
Reform UK MP Danny Kruger, Liberal Democrat MP Bobby Dean and Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith were also among the speakers.
Sir Iain urged the government to “wake up” to the threat from China and said he was not reassured by the apparent lack of intervention from the UK security services.
“The reality is that many in the security services know what the threat is, but they’re also kiboshed by the Foreign Office and the government,” he told Sky News.
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