PM faces US pressure over Huawei deal
BORIS JOHNSON stressed he would not “jeopardise” the UK’s security relationship with the US, as he faced pressure from Washington over the possible involvement of Chinese tech giant Huawei in the 5G network.
The United States warned that British sovereignty would be put at risk by allowing the firm to play a role in the UK’s 5G infrastructure, while senior Tories have also raised concerns about the looming decision on whether to allow Huawei equipment to be used.
The Prime Minister claimed it would be possible to give Britons access to “fantastic technology” while also protecting “key partnerships with other security powers”.
US Secretary of State Mike
Pompeo described the choice facing the National Security Council as “momentous” in a last-ditch plea to ministers who are expected to make the call today.
The Financial Times reported the meeting is expected to agree the company can play a restricted role, with Ministers looking to impose a cap on its market share
to prevent over-reliance on its equipment. The US administration has previously urged allies in the Five Eyes intelligence community – made up of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand – not to use Huawei, claiming it would be a security risk – something the company vehemently denies.
But Mr Johnson told reporters: “The way forward for us clearly is to have a system that delivers for people in this country the kind of consumer benefits that they want through 5G technology... but does not in any way compromise our critical national infrastructure, our security or jeopardise our ability to work together with other intelligence powers around the world. The Five Eyes security relationships we have, we’ve got to keep them strong and safe.”
He added: “There’s no reason why we shouldn’t have technological progress here in the UK, allow consumers, businesses in the UK to have access to fantastic technology, fantastic communications, but also protect our security interests and protect our key partnerships with other security powers around the world.”
Mr Pompeo, who is due to visit the UK later in the week, said: “The UK has a momentous decision ahead on 5G.
“British MP Tom Tugendhat gets it right: ‘The truth is that only nations able to protect their data will be sovereign’.”
He retweeted a comment by Mr Tugendhat, chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee in the last parliament, in which the MP said: “The real costs will come later if we get this wrong and allow Huawei to run 5G.”
Former Brexit secretary David Davis said that although the US had “sometimes been heavy handed in their dealings with the Chinese” they “have a point” about Huawei.