UK seeks a Huawei out of 5G deal
Ex-spy chief fears cyber attack
HUAWEI is set to be banned from the UK’s 5G network after a government U-turn due this week.
Boris Johnson gave the green light to the Chinese tech firm helping build the system earlier this year.
But US sanctions could hamper the company getting vital chips needed to shape the infrastructure.
Ministers could announce a switch as soon as tomorrow.
Former MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove – who led the Secret Intelligence Service from 1999 to 2004 – said the UK should become “more assertive” with China, which has become “more aggressive”.
He also predicted a government U-turn over Huawei, while warning of a risk of cyber attack from China.
“It looks to me now as though the Government have changed their view,” he told Sky News.
“There’s a technical aspect to this because, since the American embargo on Huawei was imposed, it’s not clear that they’re going to be able to provide the 5G equipment on which the system will depend.
“I’ve always believed that there is a strategic security reason for not allowing the Chinese that degree of involvement in the construction of our critical infrastructure.”
RISK
Huawei, branded a “high risk vendor” by Britain, was given a limited role in building 5G networks in January, after the Government said it could manage the risks.
The decision dismayed the US, which has said Beijing could use Huawei’s telecoms equipment to spy. Huawei insists it has never handed over information nor would it do so.
But the Government is carrying out a review into the impact of allowing the firm’s equipment to be used after the US slapped new sanctions on the firm, citing security concerns.
Stung by a backbench revolt and amid fresh warnings from the White House, the PM last week left the door open to reversing his decision.
Sir Richard said: “I think the relationship between the Chinese state and Huawei is absolutely clear-cut.
“Huawei is not a sort of ordinary international telecommunications company, it’s an intimate part of the Chinese state – and if you know anything about Chinese military strategy, they talk about the fusion of civil and military capabilities.
“There is a close linkage, undoubtedly, between the Chinese military capability and Huawei.”
Reports yesterday claimed British security chiefs were braced for a potential Chinese cyber attack on the UK. Beijing was thought to be behind “sophisticated statebased cyber hacks” against Australia last month.
PM Scott Morrison said the web assaults were “widespread”.
Asked about the risk to the UK, Sir Richard said: “Of course it’s a threat. “They have a significant capability in this area and can probably do it in a manner where, although you know who the culprit is, they could make it deniable and say, ‘it wasn’t us’.”
Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said the National Security Council would announce the Huawei decision to Parliament.
Huawei may not now have equipment for 5G RICHARD DEARLOVE FORMER-MI6 CHIEF