Boris Johnson risks wrath of Trump by approving Huawei to help build UK 5G network
Boris Johnson has risked the fury of Donald Trump by giving the go-ahead for Huawei to help build the UK’s 5g network, but with restrictions.
The long-awaited decision has been made despite a last-gasp intervention by Washington, which warned vital intelligence-sharing with London will be thrown into jeopardy.
Nevertheless, a meeting of the National Security Council has approved the Chinese firm’s involvement – but only into “the periphery of the network” and capping its market share at 35 per cent.
A Whitehall source denied the UK’s security was being put at risk, telling The Independent that Huawei would be banned from “critical” parts of 5G and from nuclear sites and military bases.
“Today's decision doesn't affect our ability to share sensitive intelligence data over secure networks both within the UK and with allies,” the source said.
Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, will confirm the decision in a statement to MPs this afternoon – a day after several senior Conservatives pleaded with him to step back from the go-ahead.
Ministers have decided to ignore them after being told a ban on Huawei would delay the UK's introduction of 5G and full fibre broadband by two to three years and cost tens of billions of pounds.
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