CHINESE tech giant Huawei could be banned from “strategic” areas of Britain as a condition of any 5G deal, The Sun can reveal.
Senior sources claimed policy chiefs are considering whether the controversial company’s involvement in the multi-billion pound network could be restricted to allay security concerns.
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They may also be limited to a minority stake in any investment.
One told The Sun: “In theory Huawei wouldn’t have anything around Westminster, nuclear power plants or places like GCHQ in Cheltenham.”
Officials at Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright’s department are believed to have discussed the idea with industry earlier this year.
The revelation comes amid growing fury over the leaking of Theresa May’s decision at a National Security Council on Tuesday to allow Huawei to have a role in helping build a future 5G network.
Sources claimed the PM had decided to allow Huawei a “limited” role in non-core infrastructure such as antennae despite opposition from the likes of Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and Home Secretary Sajid Javid.
‘SECURITY THREAT’
Donald Trump has called the state-backed Chinese firm a “security threat”.
Chancellor Philip Hammond became the latest Cabinet Minister to deny any role in the leak.
And speaking during a visit to China he said it was “very important we get to the bottom of what happened here”.
He said: “It’s not about the substance of what was apparently leaked – it’s not earth-shattering information – but it is important that we protect the principle that nothing goes on in National Security Council meetings must ever be repeated outside the room.”
Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill launched a leak inquiry on Thursday – and told Ministers to confess or deny any involvement.
Lord O’Donnell – a former head of the civil service – yesterday branded the leak a “complete outrage”. And he said the move could change the whole framework of how the government is managed.
Former Tory Attorney General Dominic Grieve said he was convinced the leak was a result of someone on leadership manoeuvres.
The Sun revealed Gavin Williamson had blamed Whitehall mandarins for the leak – pointing the finger at Cabinet Office civil servants.
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