PM defies Trump and supports Huawei role in UK’s 5G network

BORIS JOHNSON has defied Donald Trump by giving the green light for Chinese firm Huawei to have a limited role in the UK’s 5G communications network.

The National Security Council, in a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister in Downing Street which lasted for less than 90 minutes, decided that “high-risk vendors” should be permitted to play a peripheral role in the network.

But advice issued to telecoms operators by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said such vendors should be barred from all safety-related and critical networks and locations including military bases and nuclear facilities.

High-risk firms will also have their presence limited to no more than 35 per cent in the periphery of the network, known as the access network, which connects devices and equipment to mobile phone masts. The Government has promised to legislate “at the earliest opportunity” to put the new guidance into law.

Mr Trump’s administration had lobbied against the UK allowing Huawei access as the US engages in a global struggle for influence with China.

Washington was informed of the Government’s decision only after it was announced, but Mr Johnson was expected to speak directly to Mr Trump.

Senior Republicans in the US were quick to hit out at the announcement.

Liz Cheney, a congresswoman and daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney, said it was “tragic” that the Prime Minister had “chosen the surveillance state over the special relationship”. Senator and former presidential nominee Mitt Romney said: “The UK’s decision to incorporate Huawei into its 5G network is a disconcerting sign.

“By prioritising costs, the UK is sacrificing national security and inviting the CCP’s surveillance state in. I implore our British allies to reverse their decision.”

The US administration warned that British sovereignty would be put at risk by the move, and has issued threats over an impact on intelligence sharing due to Huawei’s close ties to the Beijing government. But Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told MPs there would be no impact on the Five Eyes alliance – the partnership between the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.