BORIS: MY WAY OR THE HUAWEI
PM goes ahead with Chinese 5G deal despite security fears
BORIS Johnson said yes to Chinese tech giant Huawei playing a role in building Britain’s 5G digital network.
The Prime Minister granted “limited” approval for the state-backed Chinese company despite pressure from the White House and Tory MPs.
Ministers insisted Huawei will be banned from sensitive parts of the network, including military and nuclear sites.
It will only provide 35% of the infrastructure in any area. This will reduce as other technology is developed.
Tory MPs warned that China could use the 5G network to spy or to launch a cyber attack.
Julian Lewis, chair of the Commons defence select committee, warned the firm was “intimately linked” with the Chinese state and its “deeply hostile” intelligence agencies.
ALLIES
Former Cabinet minister David Davis called for a ban, and foreign affairs committee chair Tom Tugendhat said: “What we really want to see is a ban, a cap and a cut.”
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab conceded risks “cannot be eliminated” but said new regulations would address them.
He claimed Huawei’s involvement will not affect the UK’s ability to share “highly sensitive intelligence data” with allies.
In the US, ex-Presidential candidate Mitt Romney described it as “disconcerting”, adding: “I implore our British allies to reverse their decision.”
The PM spoke to President Donald Trump to update him.
A Whitehall official said: “Excluding Huawei would lead to significant delays and extra cost to the consumer.”
Former PM Theresa May’s Cabinet clashed over Huawei, with Gavin Williamson sacked as defence secretary after allegedly leaking discussions.