Senior Tories form ‘Wolverines’ group to oppose Huawei deal
SENIOR Conservatives opposed to giving Huawei access to Britain’s 5G network have formed a group nicknamed the “Wolverines” to lobby MPS to raise concerns.
MPS including Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative Party leader, have written to fellow members warning that the Chinese company has been allowed into the UK “by stealth”, having allegedly lobbied behind the scenes for the past decade.
In the letter, seen by The Daily Telegraph, the MPS say they are “working to find a better solution in support of the Government’s broader objectives”.
Last month Boris Johnson approved allowing Huawei to build parts of Britain’s 5G network. The group opposing that deal includes former Cabinet ministers David Davis and Owen Paterson, and defence committee chairman Tobias Ellwood.
A source close to the MPS said they were being referred to as the “Wolverines”, in a reference to the resistance group in the 1984 film Red Dawn. The film, starring Patrick Swayze, depicts the Soviet Union invading the United States, while a group of students resist the occupation with guerrilla warfare.
The MPS’ letter says: “We are seeking to identify a means by which we ensure that only trusted vendors are allowed.”
It adds that Britain should either “rule out” Huawei or “at the very least ensure our legislation has sunset clauses so that high tech from high-risk vendors is built out of the UK’S critical national infrastructure within a specific time frame”.
The wolverine name was first used by a group of Australian MPS who have spoken out against Huawei.
The British “Wolverines” have formed a Whatsapp group. A source added: “The idea this is over is for the birds. The Government is going to have to compromise.”
It has emerged that Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, was confronted by MPS on Australia’s parliamentary intelligence committee while on a visit to Canberra on Thursday. One MP reportedly told Mr Raab: “How would you feel if the Russians laid down infrastructure in your own networks? That’s how we feel about Huawei.”
Anthony Byrne told Mr Raab that the British intelligence services were “flatout wrong” to say Huawei can supply 5G equipment and not pose a threat to national security, a source told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Meanwhile Mike Pence, the US vice president, said the White House was “profoundly disappointed” at the UK’S decision about Huawei. Asked if the decision will be a deal breaker in trade talks, Mr Pence said: “We’ll see.”
Mr Pence’s comments came after reports Donald Trump was “apoplectic” in a phone call with Mr Johnson over his decision to green light the Huawei deal.
Downing Street would not comment on reports, insisting that the relationship with the US remained “excellent”.
It came as Karen Pierce, the UK permanent representative to the United Nations, was appointed British ambassador to the United States.
Ms Pierce will succeed Sir Kim Darroch, and will become the first woman to hold the post, Downing Street said.