Tory Backlash Over Huawei As Boris Johnson Hints At Approval For Chinese Firm In UK 5G
Boris Johnson has sparked a backlash from senior Tory MPs after suggesting he could allow Chinese tech giant Huawei a role in Britain’s 5G network.
The United States has warned the UK’s data security - and therefore sovereignty - could be at risk given Huawei’s closeness to the government of China, while senior Tories warned that giving the firm a role would mean “nesting a dragon” British infrastructure.
Ex-party leader Iain Duncan Smith suggested the prime minister had previously given him assurances he would not approve Huawei, given China’s position as a “country that has set out to steal data non-stop”.
But Johnson insisted it is possible to ensure British consumers benefit from “fantastic” 5G technology, but to do it in a way that does not compromise national security or jeopardise the country’s key intelligence partnerships with the likes of the US.
Make sense of politics. Sign up to the Waugh Zone and get the political day in a nutshell.
The row broke out as ministers on the national security council (NSC) prepared to meet on Tuesday to hammer out what US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has called a “momentous” decision.
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.
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...
