Huawei likened to Nazi poison gas maker as MPS grill chief

HUAWEI has been compared to the company that produced the lethal gas for Nazi extermination camps, as one of its executives was questioned by MPS.

John Suffolk, the Chinese tech giant’s cyber security chief, left MPS frustrated as he refused to answer “simple questions” when he appeared before the science and technology select committee yesterday.

He repeatedly answered queries about Huawei’s links to the Chinese state and alleged human rights abuses by saying the company worked within the laws of the countries it operated in.

Following a tense exchange, Graham Stringer, a Labour MP, asked: “Do you think when we come to write our report it would be fair to compare your company with IG Farben who manufactured Zyklon B and sold it to the German government during the Second World War?”

Mr Suffolk replied: “I would paint a different picture. I would say if you are asking us should we ignore the law, I am sure you would say no, you should not ignore the law.”

Huawei has been at the centre of a political storm after it was revealed earlier that Theresa May decided to allow the firm, with close ties to the Chinese government, to bid for 5G mobile contracts in the UK, despite fears it could compromise future national security.

During the hearing, Mr Suffolk did confirm that Sun Yafang, the company’s chairman, previously had ties to China’s spy agency.

However, he denied that the company could be forced to work with China’s security services by law, saying it had taken legal advice on the matter.

Mr Suffolk was also questioned about Huawei’s role creating surveillance equipment for Xinjiang province, where China is accused of orchestrating a brutal campaign of repression against the Muslim Uighur population.

The executive said that the company’s supply of equipment to the province was conducted through a “third party”.

This prompted a scathing response from Norman Lamb, the committee’s chairman, who said: “Essentially, what you are saying is as long as we comply with the law, that is fine – you are amoral. You have no interest in what’s happening, like with the 1.5 million Chinese people who have been incarcerated in Xinjiang province. You don’t care.” The hearing continues.