The Government has performed a major u-turn over Chinese firm Huawei's involvement in the UK rollout of 5G, following a rebellion led by the Isle of Wight's MP.
Back in March, the Government rejected an amendment put forward by Bob Seely. He wanted to block the controversial telecom company from helping to build the UK's 5G network.
However, speaking in Parliament today (Tuesday), Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden backtracked on proposals, saying UK mobile providers must remove Huawei equipment from their networks by 2027.
Acting on the advice of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Mr Dowden said the UK can "no longer" be confident it can secure security if Huawei remains involved.
Tweeting his reaction, Mr Seely called out Lord Alan Sugar, who previously backed the tech giants.
👉 @Lord_Sugar You’re fired and so is @Huawei #NoWayHuawei pic.twitter.com/pv4XmGeNMx
— Bob Seely MP (@IoWBobSeely) July 14, 2020
It means that from the end of this year, UK telecoms operators must not buy equipment from Huawei.
Mr Dowden said the news will delay the roll-out of 5G by a further year and could potentially add up to half a billion in cost.
Reacting to the news, Ed Brewster, a spokesperson for Huawei UK, said:
"This disappointing decision is bad news for anyone in the UK with a mobile phone. It threatens to move Britain into the digital slow lane, push up bills and deepen the digital divide. Instead of ‘levelling up’ the government is levelling down and we urge them to reconsider. We remain confident that the new US restrictions would not have affected the resilience or security of the products we supply to the UK.
Regrettably our future in the UK has become politicized, this is about US trade policy and not security. Over the past 20 years, Huawei has focused on building a better connected UK. As a responsible business, we will continue to support our customers as we have always done.
"We will conduct a detailed review of what today’s announcement means for our business here and will work with the UK government to explain how we can continue to contribute to a better connected Britain."
The measures are expected to be enshrined in law by a Telecoms Security Bill later today.
More follows.
Solent Exercise Turns Into Needles Rescue Operation
Can You Help To Locate Stolen 'Sentimental Print'?
PCC Urges People To Hand In Blades To Curb Knife Crime Epidemic
Isle Of Wight Council Signs Tobacco Control Declaration In Commitment To Smoke-Free Future
Hoarding Removed From Ryde Interchange To Reveal Smart Glazed Exterior
Levelling Up Minister Pays Visit To Isle Of Wight To Address £20m Ryde Investment Plans
HRH The Princess Royal Meets East Wight Primary School Children Learning To Sail In Seaview
Maritime Units Heading For Isle Of Wight Armed Forces Day
Funding Boost For Council Chairman's Chosen Charity
Medina Way Works In Place This Sunday
Islander Georgie To Star On BBC1's Great British Sewing Bee
Labour's West Wight Candidate Outlines Island Plan
Scam Warnings Issued For Isle Of Wight
Islanders Invited To Take Part In Charity Fire Walk For St Catherine’s
New Company To Bid For Digital Radio Licence On The Isle Of Wight
Police Respond To Anti-Social Behaviour Involving Electric Motorbikes In Puckpool
New Records Set Following ‘Extraordinary’ Walk The Wight
Appeal Launched Following Ryde Cashpoint Theft
Islanders Urged To Make Sure They're 'Emergency Ready'
Cast Your Vote For New Sea Defence Scheme To Win People's Choice Award
