Allies turn up the heat on PM over Huawei 5G
Boris Johnson is coming under renewed pressure from key British allies over his controversial decision to give Chinese tech giant Huawei a role in building the UK’S 5G network.
A delegation of senior US officials – including President Donald Trump’s acting chief of staff – are set to fly to London to raise their concerns directly with the Prime Minister.
MPS on Australia’s intelligence and security committee are also believed to have pulled out of a UK visit next month following a diplomatic row with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.
Mick Mulvaney, who is leading the US delegation, will call on the UK Government to change its decision on Huawei when they meet Mr Johnson in Downing Street on Wednesday.
“One thing is on the agenda, and it’s not a trade deal – it is Huawei,” a source close to the delegation is reported to have said.
The visit comes after an “apoplectic” President Trump is said to have vented his fury with Mr Johnson when the Prime Minister telephoned him to explain the UK’S decision last month.
The US has repeatedly warned it regards Huawei as a national security threat.
The row has led to Mr Johnson reportedly delaying a planned springtime visit to Washington.