May fires defence secretary

MP reportedly leaked details of secret Huawei meeting

LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May sacked Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson (pic) following a probe into the leak of news that Britain had conditionally allowed China’s Huawei to develop its 5G network.

“The Prime Minister has this evening asked Gavin Williamson to leave the government, having lost confidence in his ability to serve in the role of Defence Secretary and as a member of her Cabinet,” said a spokesman on Wednesday.

May said in a letter to Williamson that the investigation “provides compelling evidence suggesting your responsibility for the unauthorised disclosure” from the April 23 meeting of the National Security Council (NSC).

“No other credible version of events to explain this leak has been identified,” wrote May.

“This is an extremely serious matter and a deeply disappointing one,” she added, with Williamson now facing the possibility of a criminal probe.

“This must now be referred to the Metropolitan Police for a thorough criminal investigation into breaches of the Official Secrets Act,” said Liberal Democrat Leader Vince Cable.

Williamson responded in a letter to May, saying he was “sorry (that) you felt recent leaks” originated from the defence ministry.

“I strenuously deny that I was in any way involved in this leak and I am confident that a thorough and formal inquiry would have vindicated my position”.

He revealed that May had given him the chance to resign, but turned it down as it would have been an acceptance of guilt.

Downing Street later announced that Penny Mordaunt, the Minister for Women and Equalities, would replace Williamson and become Britain’s first female defence secretary, while continuing in her current role.

Britain’s already splintered government was rocked by the scandal last month over who leaked news that May was to let Huawei develop Britain’s 5G network.

The bitterly disputed decision was reportedly made at the April 23 meeting of the NSC.

NSC discussions are only attended by senior ministers and security officials who first sign the Official Secrets Act that commits them to keep conversations private or risk prosecution.

But The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported that May approved granting Huawei permission to build up “non-core” elements of Britain’s next-generation telecommunications network.