At a high-level security meeting, ministers were contemplating whether or not to allow Huawei’s equipment to be used to build the Uk’s new 5G data network.
Now, it is believed that the decision was made at a National Security Council meeting that the UK government has approved the supply of equipment by the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei to build the country’s 5G network.
The information that the Security Council agreed to Huawei’s plan was apparently leaked from the high-level security talks and thus, the government ministers are calling for a “full and proper” investigation.
A spokesman for the UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has said it is reviewing the potential 5G network supply and will report in due course.
One minister stated his distress saying that leaking from the council was “simply not acceptable“.
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg was told that the leaking was “extraordinary…the security council is the holy of holies” by a senior minister.
The minister added that there have been “huge concerns” over “getting into bed” with the company.
Margot James, Digital minister has replied by tweeting: “In spite of Cabinet leaks to the contrary, final decision yet to be made on managing threats to telecoms infrastructure.”
Since the beginning of this conflict, Huawei, a private company which already supplies equipment for the UK’s existing mobile networks, has denied that it works with the Chinese government and that there are no risks of espionage or sabotage.
In a formal announcement, the company said that it was “pleased that the UK is continuing to take an evidence-based approach to its work“, adding it would continue to work compliantly with the UK and its industry.
Ciaran Martin, the head of the National Cyber Security Centre – which oversees Huawei’s current work in the UK – told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that a system would be implemented to ensure the 5G network was “sufficiently safe“.
The decision could have long-term consequences for national security, and the United States has been urging its “Five Eyes” intelligence allies – the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand – to disregard the company’s proposal.
Australia has already sided with Washington expressing “serious concerns over Huawei’s obligations to the Chinese government and the danger that poses to the integrity of telecommunications networks in the US and elsewhere“.
