Johnson Set to Reverse Huawei 5G Deal

Huawei makes a last-minute plea as Boris Johnson prepares to exclude firm in the development of the UK's 5G network.

13:36 15 July 2020

Boris Johnson is prepared to cancel Huawei's planned involvement in the development of the UK's 5G network. The Prime Minister looks certain on 14 July to cancel the agreement with the Chinese telecommunications giant amid growing Tory backbench opposition as diplomatic tensions soar with Beijing. 

 

As Huawei prepares to make a last-minute plea to Downing Street, Sir Richard Dearlove, a former head of MI5, said the Government appeared to have 'changed its view' particularly in the light of American sanctions on the supply of microchips to Huawei. 

 

Mr Johnson is expected to reverse previous decision to partner with Huawei at the scheduled meeting of the National Security Council this week. Huawei has previously obtained a stake of up to 35per cent in the "non-core' parts of the network, which critics claim would still represent a security risk to UK telecoms. 

 

Meanwhile, Sir Richard said that the UK should take a "more assertive" approach to China as it was becoming more aggressive on the world stage.

 

He said: "I don't have any direct inside knowledge, but I think I'm one of the individuals who has been pressing very hard for Huawei to be excluded from the UK's 5G. 

 

"The problem is we have had a close relationship with Huawei dating back, I think to the year 2000, so getting Huawei out of the systems can't be done rapidly - it will have to be done cumulatively over time. 

 

"But it looks to me now as though the Government has changed their view."