Tory MPS defy 5G decision in fresh Huawei rebellion

Pressure is mounting on Boris Johnson over the decision to allow Chinese telecoms giant Huawei a role in building the UK’S 5G network, with the government facing renewed opposition from MPS.

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has tabled an amendment which would ban “high-risk vendors” like the Chinese tech giant from the network after 2022.

And

And the Commons Defence Committee has announced it will set up a sub-committee specifically to look at the issue of 5G security.

The Huawei decision has sparked fears that it could open up a “backdoor” for China to spy on the UK’S telecoms network.

It has also put strain on the UK’S relationship with the

United States, with an “apoplectic” Donald Trump reportedly venting his fury during a recent telephone call with Mr Johnson.

The Prime Minister’s allies have played down the prospect that the Government which has a Commons majority of 80 - could be defeated if an amendment is called at the report stage of the Telecoms Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill in the Commons on Tuesday.

But Tory backbencher Bob Seely, one of the MPS behind the move, said they were “laying down a marker” ahead of other legislation later in the year to establish a comprehensive telecoms security regime.

Mr Duncan Smith’s measure has the backing of a number of prominent Conservative MPS including former cabinet ministers Damian Green and David Davis, the chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs

Committee Tom Tugendhat and the chairman of the Tory backbench 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady.

“We want to work with the Government, not to defeat it. We want to co-operate with the Government to get a better solution,” Mr Seely said.

Defence Committee chairman Tobias Ellwood, a former defence minister, said: “Once introduced, 5G will fast become an unextractable, indispensable part of our infrastructure as a country.

“It is paramount that, as we negotiate this new technology, we ask the uncomfortable questions about the possibility of abuse by foreign parties.

“A decision of this magnitude must be made with eyes wide open, and we will not shy away from tackling the public’s concerns head-on.”