Huawei: MPs to investigate fears that China will exploit 5G to snoop on UK

Investigation into ‘significant disagreement within government’ over the access being granted to the Chinese tech giant – amid warnings of risks to national security

The US has banned Huawei from government networks and put pressure on the UK to do the same (AFP/Getty)

Huawei bosses and government ministers will be quizzed by a committee of MPs over fears that China will be handed the ability to snoop on Britain using 5G networks.

There will be an investigation into “significant disagreement within government” over the access being granted to the Chinese tech giant – amid warnings it poses a risk to national security.

The Commons Science and Technology Committee announced the move after Theresa May was reported to have given the go-ahead for Huawei to play a limited role, overruling objections from senior ministers.

The decision is likely to anger the US, which has banned Huawei from government networks – and put pressure on the UK to do the same – over fears (denied by the company) that it is a vehicle for Chinese government spies.

Norman Lamb, the committee’s chair, urged the prime minister to publish her 5G plans “without delay” and prove she was not “bowing to pressure”.

“It is clear that there is significant disagreement within government over the prime minister’s reported decision to allow Huawei to supply ‘noncore’ parts of the country’s 5G network,” he said.

“Protecting our national security is non-negotiable. Judgements must be based on evidence and a robust evaluation of risk.”

The summons follows claims that the National Security Council (NSC), which is chaired by Ms May, agreed on Tuesday to allow the firm limited access to build “noncore” infrastructure such as antennas.

Sajid Javid, the home secretary; Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary; Gavin Williamson, the defence secretary; and Liam Fox, the international trade secretary, are all believed to have raised concerns.

The apparent decision was criticised by Tom Tugendhat, the Foreign Affairs Committee chair, who tweeted: “Allowing Huawei into the UK’s 5G infrastructure would cause allies to doubt our ability to keep data secure ... There’s a reason others have said no.”

Downing Street refused to comment on the discussions at the NSC, but said the conclusions of the 5G review would be announced in the spring.

But Margot James, the digital minister, tweeted: “In spite of cabinet leaks to the contrary, final decision yet to be made on managing threats to telecoms infrastructure.”

And, in the Commons, David Lidington, the prime minister’s de facto deputy, defended Huawei, telling MPs it was privately run and not linked to the ruling Communist Party.

Jeremy Fleming, the GCHQ director, tried to calm fears when he spoke at a National Cyber Security Centre conference in Glasgow.

On Huawei, he said: “A flag of origin of 5G equipment is important but it is a secondary factor.

“It’s a hugely complex strategic challenge, going to span the next few decades. How we deal with it will be crucial for our prosperity and for our security.”

The row blew up as the chancellor Philip Hammond prepared to fly to China for talks likely to include British involvement in Beijing’s multibillion-dollar Belt and Road global investment drive.