Friday, 3 May 2024

UK security alert: Huawei panic mounts over ‘uncomfortable’ link with Chinese tech giant

The Chinese tech giant wants the UK to use Huawei equipment to upgrade its telecoms by building 5g networks. Alicia Kearns, the newly-elected MP for Rutland and Melton, aired her fears over the Asian organisation. She previously worked for a number of Government departments as a communications specialist and as an adviser on counter-terrorism.

Ms Kearns warned China would “never let us near their national critical infrastructure”.

Speaking to Carolyn Quinn on BBC Radio 4’s Westminster Hour, she said: “I haven’t seen the intelligence. The Cabinet will have seen the intelligence.

“I’m very uncomfortable with the idea of Huawei being anywhere near our national critical infrastructure.”

At the same time ministers came under pressure from the Chinese Government, warning of the commercial consequences if it is barred.

The UK also faced pressure from Donald Trump to stop the Chinese tech firm being given access to the UK’s 5g over fears of a security risk.

However, MI5 chief Sir Andrew Parker shrugged off the concerns of a risk.

He said he had no reason to believe Britain’s intelligence-sharing relationship with the US will be damaged if Huawei is given access to the UK’s 5G network.

The US administration mounted pressure on the Government not to allow Huawei a role in building 5G networks amid fears granting a Chinese firm access to the communications network could be a security risk.

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Speaking to the Financial Times, Sir Andrew expressed confidence Britain’s intelligence would not suffer if it decided to go ahead with a deal.

He claimed he had ”no reason to think” the UK would lose out on any intelligence relationships.

The MI5 chief said the US-UK intelligence partnership was “very close and trusted”.

He added: “It is, of course, of great importance to us. And, I dare say, to the US too, though that’s for them to say. It is a two-way street.”

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It comes as reports claimed a US delegation from National Security Agency and the National Economic Council was due in London on Monday.

The last-ditch attempt is a lobbying drive to persuade British officials not to give Huawei a role.

Boris Johnson, before the general election, was reported to be swaying towards a decision to allow the firm to provide “non-contentious” elements of the system.

A final decision was postponed until after the polling.

At last month’s Nato leaders’ meeting in London, the Prime Minister came under direct pressure from Trump who claimed Huawei was a “security danger”.

Mr Johnson responded he would not do anything that would “prejudice our vital national security interests”.

He also claimed he didn’t want to jeopardise the UK’s ability to co-operate with other members of the Five Eyes security partnership, including the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Huawei has consistently denied it has ever been asked by the Chinese government to introduce secret “back doors” into its technology.

The organisation has even offered to sign a “no spy agreement” with countries adopting it.

Its position is strengthened by the fact some mobile companies say it is the cheapest and most advanced supplier of 5G equipment in the market, a point acknowledged by the head of MI5.

Sir Andrew said: “Perhaps the thing that needs more focus and more discussion is how do we get to a future where there’s a wider range of competition and a wider range of sovereign choices than defaulting to a yes or no about Chinese technology.”

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