Tory MPS threaten rebellion over Huawei’s involvement in 5G
BORIS JOHNSON must give a legally binding date to strip out Huawei from Britain’s 5G network or face a Commons defeat, Tory MPS have warned. They are pressing for a Government pledge within two months, with crucial legislation expected to go through Parliament. In today’s Daily Telegraph, below, Sir Ian Duncan Smith and Bob Seely write: “Parliament is feeling increasingly restless about the UK’S dependency on China. More legislators are recognising that how we handle this issue hugely affects our constituents.”
They say a ban on Huawei equipment being installed from 2023 or 2024, which the Government has been discussing, will “not be sufficient”.
Instead they want the Government to agree to removing all Huawei equipment “from the UK network, root and branch, by a fixed date”.
They say 59 MPS have joined the Huawei Interest Group of Conservative MPS. A source close to the group last night said they could go against the Government by supporting amendments to three potential Bills due in Parliament before the summer recess.
This includes the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill, currently going through committee stage in the House of Lords. Lord Alton is expected to lay an amendment to stop companies with links to human rights abuses from supplying telecoms to leasehold properties.
Sir Iain and Mr Seely say the Parliamentary arithmetic on forthcoming legislation is “troubling ministers.” MPS are “no longer prepared to sit idly by as a nascent superpower run by a repressive and intolerant government undermines the global rules-based order,” they write. It comes amid government plans to stop foreign takeovers from companies that may threaten national security, making it compulsory for UK companies to report a takeover, with fines or jail for those who fail to comply.
Mr Johnson’s spokesman said the bill would “strengthen Government powers to scrutinise and intervene in takeovers and mergers to protect national security, wherever risks may emanate.”