Ministers deny being source of Huawei leak

Press freedom fears as May calls inquiry and Tory rivals distance themselves from affair

TWO Cabinet ministers last night publicly denied leaking details of the Huawei controversy as Theresa May ordered a formal inquiry into the affair.

Jeremy Hunt and Gavin Williamson both took the unusual step of insisting that they had not been the source of information about Huawei’s future role in Britain’s 5G mobile network, putting pressure on the other ministers who attended the meeting to follow suit.

The row threatened to become a proxy battleground for Tory leadership rivals as Conservative MPS clamoured for the source of the leak to be rooted out and sacked, prompting accusations that they were motivated by a desire to kill off the leadership hopes of ministers they do not support.

Jeremy Wright, the Culture Secretary, suggested the Whitehall inquiry could become a criminal investigation, raising the seemingly unlikely prospect of ministers being arrested.

Mr Hunt, the Foreign Secretary and one of the leading contenders to become the next prime minister, denied being the source when he was asked about it by journalists at a parliamentary lunch yesterday, describing the leak as “appalling”.

Hours later, Mr Williamson, the Defence Secretary, issued a statement saying: “Neither I nor any of my team have divulged information from the National Security Council.”

Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, said the leak was “completely unacceptable” while sources close to Liam Fox, the International Trade Secretary, and Penny Mordaunt, the International Development Secretary, said both “categorically denied” being the source of the leak. The Daily Telegraph reported this week that all five had expressed concerns about Huawei being allowed to bid for 5G contracts but were effectively overruled by the Prime Minister.

The inquiry is being led by Sir Mark Sedwill, the Cabinet Secretary and National Security Adviser. Leading lawyers and senior MPS warned last night that Sir Mark must not allow the inquiry to become an attack on press freedom, as they stressed that The

Telegraph’s reporting of the Huawei row had been in the public interest.

Nine ministers, including Mrs May, are permanent members of the National Security Council (NSC), where the decision to approve Chinese-owned Huawei as a bidder for parts of the UK’S 5G network was made, though other ministers attend on an ad hoc basis.

The other regular members of the NSC, who are joined at the meetings by members of the defence and security services, are David Lidington, the Cabinet Office minister and de facto deputy prime minister, Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, Greg Clark, the Business Secretary, and Geoffrey Cox, the Attorney General.

Almost all members of the NSC are potential leadership contenders, making them obvious targets for any MPS who support rivals.

Sir Michael Fallon, the former defence secretary, said a Whitehall leak inquiry would go nowhere and urged Downing Street to call the police. He said: “That would involve a proper Scotland Yard investigation of all those who attended the meetings, all those who have mobile phones – whether they contacted journalists after the

Wednesday, 11pm

After The Daily Telegraph breaks the story, Labour demands an official investigation into the leak of the Government decision to allow Huawei to work on the UK’S new 5G mobile network.

Yesterday, 9am

Dominic Grieve, chairman of the parliamentary intelligence and security committee, says the leak of the National Security Council’s discussions on Huawei was “deeply worrying”.

11am David Lidington tells Cyberuk conference in Glasgow: “We have rigorous and tested procedures in place today to manage risks to national security.”

11.12am Shadow Cabinet Office minister Jo Platt says in the Commons: “A full leak inquiry should be undertaken.”

11.13am Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright tells MPS a criminal investigation has not been ruled out.

2.20pm Former defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon calls for a police inquiry.

2.30pm Jeremy Hunt denies the leak came from him or his team, saying: “I think it is utterly appalling that that should happen.”

4.06pm Gavin Williamson says in a statement: “Neither I nor any of my team have divulged information from the National Security Council.”

5.36pm Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, says the leak is “completely unacceptable”.

5.55pm Reports emerge that a formal inquiry into the leak is being led by National Security Adviser and Cabinet Secretary, Sir Mark Sedwill.

6.38pm Penny Mordaunt says she would “welcome” any leak inquiry. Sources close to Liam Fox say he “categorically denies” leaking information.