Huawei: Boris Johnson to face US backlash over 5G decision as Mike Pompeo arrives in UK

Boris Johnson will face first-hand criticism from the US over the Huawei go-ahead and other explosive recent rows when Donald Trump’s secretary of state arrives for two days of talks.

Mike Pompeo – a renowned Washington hawk – will meet his opposite number Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, on Wednesday evening, before discussions with the prime minister himself on Thursday.

The decision to ignore US pressure and grant the Chinese firm permission to help build the UK’s 5G network, albeit with restrictions, is expected to top the list of controversies for the talks.

Mr Pompeo had described the decision as “momentous”, warning Britain’s sovereignty would be at risk if Huawei was given the green light, although there was never any suggestion of cancelling the trip.

However, other potential flashpoints are the UK’s planned digital services tax, the EU’s refusal to dump the Iran nuclear deal and the attempt to extradite Anne Sacoolas over the death of teenage motorcyclist Harry Dunn.

Mr Trump, distracted by his ongoing impeachment trial and what he claims is a “peace plan” for the Middle East, has yet to comment on the Huawei go-ahead.

But some senior US politicians have made their fury known, including Trump ally and senator Lindsey Graham, who implored the UK to think again.

“This decision has the potential to jeopardise US-UK intelligence sharing agreements and could greatly complicate a US-UK free trade agreement,” he tweeted.

Fellow senator Mitt Romney, a former Republican presidential candidate, said: “By prioritising costs, the UK is sacrificing national security and inviting the Chinese Communist Party’s surveillance state in.

And senator Tom Cotton, a member of the Senate intelligence committee, called for a “thorough review” of intelligence sharing arrangements with the UK.

“I fear London has freed itself from Brussels only to cede sovereignty to Beijing,” he said. “Allowing Huawei to the build the UK’s 5G networks today is like allowing the KGB to build its telephone network during the Cold War.”

Mr Johnson also faces a backbench rebellion when the Commons votes on Huawei later this year, although – with his 80-strong majority – at least 40 rebels would be needed to defeat the government.

Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader, said: “We want to see modifications and changes made. We want to see commitment to actually getting Huawei out of the system over a period of time. They’ve got more to do.”

The prime minister attempted to smooth things over with the US president when he telephoned him on Wednesday afternoon – when he also offered strikingly warm backing for the so-called peace plan.

Palestinian leaders reacted with fury to proposals widely seen to meet Israel’s key demands in the decades-old conflict while failing to offer them a viable state.

But Mr Johnson told Mr Trump it “could prove a positive step forwards”.

Source: UK Politics - www.independent.co.uk