US secretary of state Mike Pompeo to issue Huawei warning during UK visit
US secretary of state Mike Pompeo is expected to warn Prime Minister Theresa May against allowing Huawei to build the UK’s 5G network during a meeting in London today.
Pompeo is holding talks with May and foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt, and will make a speech on foreign policy ahead of US President Donald Trump’s state visit next month.
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He is expected to raise concerns about Huawei’s possible involvement in the UK’s new mobile network, warning of the firm’s links with the Chinese state and the risk its technology could be used for spying.
The debate over Huawei’s role in 5G has sparked a major political row in the UK, after leaked details of a security meeting revealed the government plans to ban the firm from core parts of the network, but give it the green light to participate in non-core areas.
Last week defence secretary Gavin Williamson was unceremoniously sacked from the Cabinet following an inquiry into the leak, though the Tory MP has denied he was the source of the media reports.
The saga has also threatened diplomatic relations between Western governments. Pompeo has previously issued a threat to the US’s allies, saying any cooperation with Huawei could compromise intelligence-sharing agreements.
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The government has insisted it is yet to reach a final verdict on Huawei, and the Chinese company has denied its equipment could be used for spying.
In his speech, Pompeo is also expected to talk about the so-called special relationship between the US and the UK and call for continued close relations after Brexit.