US warns UK of risks to intelligence sharing over Huawei

File photo shows Robert Strayer, deputy assistant secretary for cyber, international communications and information policy at the US state department.

A senior US official has hinted that Britain could be denied having access to American intelligence if it goes ahead with involving Chinese giant telecommunication company Huawei in plans to build its next-generation internet network.

Robert Strayer, an assistant deputy for cyber affairs in US State Department, said on Monday that Washington may withhold intelligence from the UK if London uses Huawei as a partner for building its future 5G network.

“It is the United States’ position that putting Huawei or any other untrustworthy vendor in any part of the 5G telecommunications network is a risk,” said Strayer, adding, “If other countries insert and allow untrusted vendors to build out and become the vendors for their 5G networks we will have to reassess the ability for us to share information and be connected with them in the ways that we are today.

The warning comes amid a row in Britain over Prime Minister Theresa May’s decision to allow Huawei to build some parts of the country’s 5G network.

May’s critics have demanded a rethink of the decision, saying allies like the US and Australia have banned the Chinese company from similar plans.

The row intensified last week after details of a meeting in which government decided to give the green light to Huawei leaked to the British media.

Several senior ministers in May’s cabinet have been blamed for the leak although they deny the accusation. An extensive inquiry has been launched with cabinet ministers even warned of a criminal investigation over the leak.

China’s ambassador to London said on Sunday that the UK government should think of its national interests while dealing with the case rather than bowing to external pressure.


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