Earlier today it was announced that Boris Johnson had given the technology giant Huawei the green light to play a central role in the UK’s 5G infrastructure. The decision has divided opinion, with many arguing that using the Chinese tech firm’s equipment would essentially allow the Chinese government in through the back door to spy on the UK and harvest huge amounts of data.

The Liberal Democrats took the opportunity to post a message of warning, urging Mr Johnson and his government not to “ignore human rights” in Brexit Britain.

The tweet read: “Brexit Britain must not be an excuse to ignore human rights when making trade deals, signing public contracts & deciding who gets to run critical infrastructure.

“Lib Dems will continue to stand up for people’s human rights, security & right to privacy, no matter where they live.”

To this, one user replied: “The Lib Dems would’ve moaned if this had been rejected by the Tories, they would’ve said it’s because of Trump.

“Anything the Lib Dems say has no credibility, they just moan and jump on the opposite side of the fence.”

Another person wrote: “The Lib Dems would’ve moaned if this had been rejected by the Tories, they would’ve said it’s because of Trump.

“Anything the Lib Dems say has no credibility, they just moan and jump on the opposite side of the fence.”

A third user said: “I understand the potential security issue raised by US but we are more than capable of handling that.

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“However please explain how Huawei exploit human rights?

“Is it just anything from china is no go?… waiting.”

It comes as MPs push backed against the decision during a debate in the Commons, arguing even limited access put UK security at risk – while some argued for an outright ban.

Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, attempted to quell any fears, and assured the decision followed a “rigorous” review by security experts.

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He added that “tight restrictions” would be in place.

These restrictions would include the banning of the Chinese tech firms “core” parts – what have been described as the “heart” and the “brain” of the system.

Huawei’s kit will also only be allowed to account for up to 35 percent of the network’s peripheral equipment.

The company has consistently denied that it has any affiliation with the Chinese government, and insists it is entirely autonomous.

Yet, many dispute the claim, reasoning that nothing is entirely “private” under the Communist nation’s rule.

Huawei’s vice president, Victor Zhang, welcomed Mr Johnson’s decision to give the company the green light.

He said it would “result in a more advanced, more secure and more cost-effective telecoms infrastructure that is fit for the future”.

The case against Huawei setting up in the UK has also been argued in the US where members of Donald Trump’s government initially urged the UK not to allow Huawei in.

It has been reported that Mr Johnson has sought to allay US security concerns about Huawei’s involvement in a phone call with Trump.

Downing Street said the prime minister had “underlined the importance of like-minded countries working together to diversify the market and break the dominance of a small number of companies”.

Although Trump is yet to comment publicly on the decision, the White House has said it is “disappointed” and a number of US politicians have warned of repercussions.

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