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| Ultimatum to cabinet ministers in Huawei leak investigation | Ultimatum to cabinet ministers in Huawei leak investigation |
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| Cabinet members who were at Tuesday’s National Security Council (NSC) have been sent an ultimatum by Whitehall’s most powerful official to confess or deny whether they leaked a controversial decision to allow Chinese telecoms firm Huawei to help build the UK’s 5G phone network. | Cabinet members who were at Tuesday’s National Security Council (NSC) have been sent an ultimatum by Whitehall’s most powerful official to confess or deny whether they leaked a controversial decision to allow Chinese telecoms firm Huawei to help build the UK’s 5G phone network. |
| Cabinet secretary Sir Mark Sedwill is understood to have written to those present and demanded that they tell him by 2pm whether they were involved and would be willing to cooperate with an inquiry, prompting the five prime suspects to scramble to “categorically deny” that they were behind the leak. | |
| The move came at an acutely sensitive time as several of those present are hoping to take over as prime minister when Theresa May steps down. There are also growing calls for whoever did leak the information to the Daily Telegraph to be prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act. | The move came at an acutely sensitive time as several of those present are hoping to take over as prime minister when Theresa May steps down. There are also growing calls for whoever did leak the information to the Daily Telegraph to be prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act. |
| Sedwill also asked the senior ministers present to agree that their special advisers, and any officials who had access to information about the outcome of the NSC meeting, would also assist the inquiry. | Sedwill also asked the senior ministers present to agree that their special advisers, and any officials who had access to information about the outcome of the NSC meeting, would also assist the inquiry. |
| The NSC meeting had decided to allow Huawei to supply some “non core” telecoms equipment for next-generation phone networks in the UK and the initial focus over the leak has centred on the five ministers present who were opposed to Huawei’s having any involvement in 5G. | The NSC meeting had decided to allow Huawei to supply some “non core” telecoms equipment for next-generation phone networks in the UK and the initial focus over the leak has centred on the five ministers present who were opposed to Huawei’s having any involvement in 5G. |
| Huawei is a Chinese telecoms company founded in 1987. Politicians in the US have alleged that Huawei’s forthcoming 5G mobile phone networks could be hacked by Chinese spies to eavesdrop on sensitive phone calls and gain access to counter-terrorist operations. Allies who allow Huawei technology inside their 5G networks have been told they may be frozen out of US intelligence sharing. Australia, New Zealand and Japan have banned Huawei from their 5G networks. | Huawei is a Chinese telecoms company founded in 1987. Politicians in the US have alleged that Huawei’s forthcoming 5G mobile phone networks could be hacked by Chinese spies to eavesdrop on sensitive phone calls and gain access to counter-terrorist operations. Allies who allow Huawei technology inside their 5G networks have been told they may be frozen out of US intelligence sharing. Australia, New Zealand and Japan have banned Huawei from their 5G networks. |
| In the UK, BT has excluded Huawei telecoms infrastructure from its own 5G rollout and removed some of its equipment from the 4G network. The University of Oxford has placed an indefinite ban on accepting research grants or donations from the Chinese telecoms firm Huawei. In January 2019 Vodafone said it had decided to 'pause' the use of Huawei equipment in its core networks across Europe. | In the UK, BT has excluded Huawei telecoms infrastructure from its own 5G rollout and removed some of its equipment from the 4G network. The University of Oxford has placed an indefinite ban on accepting research grants or donations from the Chinese telecoms firm Huawei. In January 2019 Vodafone said it had decided to 'pause' the use of Huawei equipment in its core networks across Europe. |
| Poland’s internal affairs minister, Joachim Brudziński, has called for the European Union and Nato to work on a joint position over whether to exclude Huawei from their markets, after an Huawei employee was arrested on spying charges. | Poland’s internal affairs minister, Joachim Brudziński, has called for the European Union and Nato to work on a joint position over whether to exclude Huawei from their markets, after an Huawei employee was arrested on spying charges. |
| Much of the doubt surrounding Huawei stems from founder Ren Zhengfei’s background in China's People’s Liberation Army between 1974 and 1983, where he was an engineer. His daughter, Huawei’s senior executive Meng Wanzhou, was arrested in Canada in December 2018 over allegations of Iran-sanctions violations, and she awaits extradition to the US. Ren, referring to trade issues between the US and China, says the company is 'like a small sesame seed, stuck in the middle of conflict between two great powers'. | Much of the doubt surrounding Huawei stems from founder Ren Zhengfei’s background in China's People’s Liberation Army between 1974 and 1983, where he was an engineer. His daughter, Huawei’s senior executive Meng Wanzhou, was arrested in Canada in December 2018 over allegations of Iran-sanctions violations, and she awaits extradition to the US. Ren, referring to trade issues between the US and China, says the company is 'like a small sesame seed, stuck in the middle of conflict between two great powers'. |
| Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, was the first to go public on Thursday in denying he was behind the leak, condemning it at a lunch of the parliamentary press gallery. He said it was was “utterly appalling” and said denied that he or any of his staff were involved. | Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, was the first to go public on Thursday in denying he was behind the leak, condemning it at a lunch of the parliamentary press gallery. He said it was was “utterly appalling” and said denied that he or any of his staff were involved. |
| The leadership candidate added: “I – as I think everyone here knows – have never leaked confidential cabinet discussions and I never will, so I don’t want to comment further. But I do think it is a very, very bad day for our democratic processes.” | The leadership candidate added: “I – as I think everyone here knows – have never leaked confidential cabinet discussions and I never will, so I don’t want to comment further. But I do think it is a very, very bad day for our democratic processes.” |
| Shortly after, Gavin Williamson, the defence secretary, , released his own statement of denial. He said: “Neither I nor any of my team have divulged information from the National Security Council.” | Shortly after, Gavin Williamson, the defence secretary, , released his own statement of denial. He said: “Neither I nor any of my team have divulged information from the National Security Council.” |
| Sources close to Penny Mordaunt, the development secretary, then said she “categorically denied” being involved in the leak – a statement that was echoed shortly after by allies of the trade secretary Liam Fox. | Sources close to Penny Mordaunt, the development secretary, then said she “categorically denied” being involved in the leak – a statement that was echoed shortly after by allies of the trade secretary Liam Fox. |
| Finally, Sajid Javid, the home secretary, and another leadership contender, denied being involved. He also said: “For any cabinet minister or any minister in the government to share sensitive information in the public domain is completely unacceptable and it should be looked at.” | Finally, Sajid Javid, the home secretary, and another leadership contender, denied being involved. He also said: “For any cabinet minister or any minister in the government to share sensitive information in the public domain is completely unacceptable and it should be looked at.” |
| Sedwill’s inquiry began with a letter to the members of the NSC – a secret official body comprising the prime minister, nine cabinet members, spy chiefs and senior members of the armed forces. Phone and email records could be examined and people questioned if it develops further and even lead to a minister or aide being fired. | Sedwill’s inquiry began with a letter to the members of the NSC – a secret official body comprising the prime minister, nine cabinet members, spy chiefs and senior members of the armed forces. Phone and email records could be examined and people questioned if it develops further and even lead to a minister or aide being fired. |
| Meanwhile former defence secretary Michael Fallon said Downing Street should call in the police and mount a “a proper Scotland Yard investigation” and Andrew Mitchell, the Tory MP for Sutton Coldfield, told the BBC’s Newsnight that MI5 should be asked to help. | Meanwhile former defence secretary Michael Fallon said Downing Street should call in the police and mount a “a proper Scotland Yard investigation” and Andrew Mitchell, the Tory MP for Sutton Coldfield, told the BBC’s Newsnight that MI5 should be asked to help. |
| No 10 reacted with anger and alarm after the Huawei decision was leaked. It follows a series of leaks from cabinet and other sensitive political meetings as May’s authority has collapsed during the Brexit crisis, but none from the NSC. Insiders said it is a place where “politicians, intelligence agencies and military chiefs are supposed to be able to discuss issues openly and informally”, saying that the leak has eroded trust. | No 10 reacted with anger and alarm after the Huawei decision was leaked. It follows a series of leaks from cabinet and other sensitive political meetings as May’s authority has collapsed during the Brexit crisis, but none from the NSC. Insiders said it is a place where “politicians, intelligence agencies and military chiefs are supposed to be able to discuss issues openly and informally”, saying that the leak has eroded trust. |
| Politicians present had been deadlocked at five apiece, with the decision only being made after what amounted to a casting vote from the prime minister. Those who spoke against the plan argued for a blanket ban on Huawei telecoms equipment. | Politicians present had been deadlocked at five apiece, with the decision only being made after what amounted to a casting vote from the prime minister. Those who spoke against the plan argued for a blanket ban on Huawei telecoms equipment. |
| A public announcement of the decision had not been due for several weeks, after further work was undertaken on various additional safeguards, but the leak transformed the debate with several backbench Conservatives raising concerns on Wednesday and Thursday. | A public announcement of the decision had not been due for several weeks, after further work was undertaken on various additional safeguards, but the leak transformed the debate with several backbench Conservatives raising concerns on Wednesday and Thursday. |
| The five ministers in favour of allowing Huawei to supply equipment to “non core” parts of the network, such as antennas, were led by May but also included David Lidington, the Cabinet Office minister, Philip Hammond, the chancellor, Greg Clark, the business secretary, and Jeremy Wright, the culture secretary. | The five ministers in favour of allowing Huawei to supply equipment to “non core” parts of the network, such as antennas, were led by May but also included David Lidington, the Cabinet Office minister, Philip Hammond, the chancellor, Greg Clark, the business secretary, and Jeremy Wright, the culture secretary. |
| The Guardian view on Huawei: if May wants to trust, we must keep verifying | Editorial | The Guardian view on Huawei: if May wants to trust, we must keep verifying | Editorial |
| It is understood that the final decision was in line with the advice from Britain’s intelligence agencies, led by GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre, which already monitors Huawei technology in case of a backdoor that could be exploited by the Chinese government. | It is understood that the final decision was in line with the advice from Britain’s intelligence agencies, led by GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre, which already monitors Huawei technology in case of a backdoor that could be exploited by the Chinese government. |
| The spy agency has repeatedly said Huawei must be monitored but that the risks can be contained. But politicians concerned about the company said the UK should heed warnings from US and Australian spy agencies, who share intelligence with the UK as part of the Five Eyes network. | The spy agency has repeatedly said Huawei must be monitored but that the risks can be contained. But politicians concerned about the company said the UK should heed warnings from US and Australian spy agencies, who share intelligence with the UK as part of the Five Eyes network. |
| Tom Tugendhat, the chair of the foreign affairs select committee, told MPs: “This is fundamentally a diplomatic and political question, just as much as a technical one, and … respecting our Five Eyes partners is an essential part of the decision.” | Tom Tugendhat, the chair of the foreign affairs select committee, told MPs: “This is fundamentally a diplomatic and political question, just as much as a technical one, and … respecting our Five Eyes partners is an essential part of the decision.” |
| Earlier Labour demanded “a full leak inquiry” in an urgent question in the House of Commons. Jo Platt, the shadow minister for the Cabinet Office, said: “If a minister did leak this information they are not fit to serve in the cabinet and they are certainly not fit to be prime minister.” | Earlier Labour demanded “a full leak inquiry” in an urgent question in the House of Commons. Jo Platt, the shadow minister for the Cabinet Office, said: “If a minister did leak this information they are not fit to serve in the cabinet and they are certainly not fit to be prime minister.” |
| In the debate that followed, Wright condemned the leak and signalled that a criminal investigation under the Official Secrets Act could yet go ahead. He told MPs “I cannot rule it out”, and added it was “a matter for investigating and prosecuting authorities to consider”. | In the debate that followed, Wright condemned the leak and signalled that a criminal investigation under the Official Secrets Act could yet go ahead. He told MPs “I cannot rule it out”, and added it was “a matter for investigating and prosecuting authorities to consider”. |
| Hammond is in China to participate in an investment forum in Bejing. On Thursday he met Hu Chunhua, the country’s vice-premier, but it is understood that the subject of Huawei was not raised by either side. | Hammond is in China to participate in an investment forum in Bejing. On Thursday he met Hu Chunhua, the country’s vice-premier, but it is understood that the subject of Huawei was not raised by either side. |
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