A chilling witch-hunt

THE National Security Council enables ministers, intelligence and military chiefs to discuss the gravest threats facing Britain in unimpeachable confidence.

Given its importance to state safety, there had never been a leak. Until Tuesday. Then it was revealed Theresa May had approved telecoms giant Huawei to build parts of the UK’s 5G network – despite fears it could be a Trojan horse for Chinese spies.

Even though the leak involved a policy decision, not intelligence, a Whitehall inquiry has been launched to unmask the culprit.

On Page 23, Peter Oborne rightly argues the matter requires a full probe. But what can’t be justified is an investigation that forces reporters to hand over their notebooks – with all the sinister implications for Press freedom that would entail.

Yes, it is troubling a firm so enmeshed with the Chinese state could win the contract. And yes, we understand the leak is awkward for the Government. But this information

would eventually have been made public. It does not justify a witch-hunt that would curb the ability of the media to hold politicians to account.