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Johnson's majority slashed to 24 as Tory rebels fire warning shot over Huawei's involvement in 5G - live news Johnson's majority slashed to 24 as Tory rebels fire warning shot over Huawei's involvement in 5G - live news
(32 minutes later)
Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen MPs vote down Iain Duncan Smith’s amendment by 306 votes to 282, cutting Boris Johnson’s working majority of 87
This is from the Tory MP Tim Loughton, explaining why he voted against the government.
From the BBC’s Vicki Young
And this is from Bob Seely, who is one of the Tory rebels.
The Conservative MP Steve Baker, who is something of an expert in organising Tory backbench rebellions, but who did back the government over Huawei this afternoon, says he thinks the government will have to include a firm deadline for the exclusion of Huawei from 5G when it introduces its telecommunications security bill later this year.
As City AM’s Cat Neilan points out, the result means that, if another 12 Tory MPs were to change sides, then Boris Johnson would see his majority disappear completely.
The government has won the vote, but it has seen its majority slashed. MPs voted down Sir Iain Duncan Smith’s amendment by 306 votes to 282 - a majority of 24. Allowing for the non-appearance of Sinn Fein, and deputy speakers not voting, Boris Johnson should have a working majority of 87.The government has won the vote, but it has seen its majority slashed. MPs voted down Sir Iain Duncan Smith’s amendment by 306 votes to 282 - a majority of 24. Allowing for the non-appearance of Sinn Fein, and deputy speakers not voting, Boris Johnson should have a working majority of 87.
This is from Labour’s Lucy Powell, who is missing the vote because her train has been held up.This is from Labour’s Lucy Powell, who is missing the vote because her train has been held up.
Earlier during the debate Liam Fox, the Conservative former international trade secretary, made a speech attacking government policy on Huawei. He said he had not accept the government argument that it had to use Huawei to develop 5G. He explained:Earlier during the debate Liam Fox, the Conservative former international trade secretary, made a speech attacking government policy on Huawei. He said he had not accept the government argument that it had to use Huawei to develop 5G. He explained:
Sir Iain Duncan Smith moves his amendment, amendment 1.Sir Iain Duncan Smith moves his amendment, amendment 1.
MPs are now voting.MPs are now voting.
The government has won the first vote, defeating a Labour amendment, by 343 to 242 - a majority of 101.The government has won the first vote, defeating a Labour amendment, by 343 to 242 - a majority of 101.
According to the Times’ Steven Swinford, Iain Duncan Smith will put his amendment to a vote.According to the Times’ Steven Swinford, Iain Duncan Smith will put his amendment to a vote.
The debate is now over, and MPs are voting on a technical Labour amendment that has nothing to do with Huawei. Voting will take about 15 minutes, and the government will almost certainly win.The debate is now over, and MPs are voting on a technical Labour amendment that has nothing to do with Huawei. Voting will take about 15 minutes, and the government will almost certainly win.
Once that is over, Sir Iain Duncan Smith will get the chance to move his amendment. It is still not clear yet whether or not he will, but some of his colleagues certainly want him to. (See 3.09pm and 3.26pm.) They think the Oliver Dowden assurances did not go far enough.Once that is over, Sir Iain Duncan Smith will get the chance to move his amendment. It is still not clear yet whether or not he will, but some of his colleagues certainly want him to. (See 3.09pm and 3.26pm.) They think the Oliver Dowden assurances did not go far enough.
Owen Paterson, the Tory former cabinet minister and one of the supporters of the Iain Duncan Smith amendment, is speaking now.Owen Paterson, the Tory former cabinet minister and one of the supporters of the Iain Duncan Smith amendment, is speaking now.
He says last week the government said it eventually wanted no Huawei involvement in 5G.He says last week the government said it eventually wanted no Huawei involvement in 5G.
But today, he says, MPs wanted to hear how it would get there.But today, he says, MPs wanted to hear how it would get there.
He says they needed to hear that there would be a point where there would be no high-risk vendors in the network. But he says the government is just talking about being able to get to a point where nobody “has to use” Huawei.He says they needed to hear that there would be a point where there would be no high-risk vendors in the network. But he says the government is just talking about being able to get to a point where nobody “has to use” Huawei.
He says nobody has to use Huawei; they can always use other suppliers.He says nobody has to use Huawei; they can always use other suppliers.
What is needed is a commitment to a date at which point there will be no high-risk vendors in the system, he says.What is needed is a commitment to a date at which point there will be no high-risk vendors in the system, he says.
From my colleague Dan SabbaghFrom my colleague Dan Sabbagh
Seely says, if MPs want to know what GCHQ thinks about Huawei, they should read what the Huawei oversight board says about the company. He quotes from the board saying it cannot give assurances about the safety of the company.Seely says, if MPs want to know what GCHQ thinks about Huawei, they should read what the Huawei oversight board says about the company. He quotes from the board saying it cannot give assurances about the safety of the company.