The UK embassy is embroiled in a German spying controversy, following a media report.
On Tuesday, November 5, UK-based newspaper The Independent reported that the British embassy in Berlin allegedly operates a "top-secret listening post." The Independent's report cites leaked documents by the NSA, hinting that the UK is perhaps using hi-tech equipment that is housed on its embassy roof in Berlin.
If the report is to be believed, then any such activity is against international law.
"Concerns were raised tonight that Britain operates a top-secret listening post from its Berlin embassy to eavesdrop on the seat of German power. Documents leaked by the US National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden show that GCHQ is, together with the US and other key partners, operating a network of electronic spy posts from diplomatic buildings around the world, which intercept data in host nations," reports The Independent.
Post the report, the German embassy has asked to speak to the British ambassador in Berlin to respond to the allegations. Guido Westerwelle, the German Foreign Minister, has requested the attendance of UK ambassador Simon McDonald.
"At the instigation of Foreign Minister (Guido) Westerwelle, the British ambassador was asked to come for a meeting at the Federal Foreign Office," said a foreign ministry statement.
According to a BBC report, a spokesman for British Prime Minister David Cameron revealed that he had not spoken to German Chancellor Angela Merkel regarding the spying allegations. Moreover, they did not intend to hold conversations on the same even though their relationship was "excellent."
The Independent reports also disclosed that the NSA documents, along with aerial photographs and information pertaining to spying activities in Germany, hint that Britain has a covert listening station in operation, which is located near the German Parliament Bundestag and Angela Merkel's offices.
"Equipment within the embassy unit would be capable of intercepting mobile phone calls, wi-fi data and long-distance communications across the German capital," per The Independent.
Additionally, aerial photographs of the British embassy in Berlin reveal a white "cylindrical tent-like structure", which per the newspaper says has been in place since 2000.
