Plan to cut Huawei out of UK networks by 2029 is too slow, Tory rebels warn Boris Johnson

A proposed plan to cut Huawei out of UK 5G networks by 2029 is too slow and will cause a rebellion on the Tory back benches, the Prime Minister has been warned.

A leaked GCHQ report has raised new security issues with Huawei technology being used in the UK, and is likely to force Boris Johnson to abandon the company entirely.

The report suggests that new US sanctions on Huawei will force the company to use untrusted technology that could increase the risk to the UK.

Oliver Dowden, the Culture Secretary, has oversight of the National Cyber Security Centre and is expected to advise Mr Johnson that the Government should phase the equipment out by 2029.

But a group of 60 Tory rebels who are concerned about Huawei say the Government must commit to replacing all Huawei kit before the end of the current parliament, which is set to finish in 2024.

They have threatened to wreak havoc on Mr Johnson’s plans for government by amending every bill that passes through the Commons with anti-China clauses until he agrees.

A source close to the group said it was “unconscionable” to the rebels that the Tories could fight the next election with Huawei equipment still in use in the UK.

“The Government can forget about its legislative agenda until it’s sorted out the China question,” the source said.

The rebels also want Mr Johnson to commit to stop adding new Huawei components to UK networks and shift to new suppliers in the next 12-18 months.

The telecoms companies say replacing all Huawei kit on their networks will be expensive, and have asked for it to be phased out over a much longer period.

John Sawers, former head of MI6, has called for Huawei to be barred from UK networks.

"There are now sound technical reasons for the UK to change January’s decision, which would have allowed Huawei to have an up to 35 per cent stake in the UK’s 5G market, and exclude the company instead," he wrote in the Financial Times on Sunday.

Commons debate on the National Security and Investment Bill, which could settle the matter in law, has been pushed back amid the row and is now not expected to begin until at least November.

Bob Seely, a leading member of the anti-Huawei Tory group, said: “2029 is going to be too long for some colleagues, who want to see Huawei out of the system by the end of this parliament.

“I think a lot of colleagues would say, we want [Huawei] out by 2023, because maybe the next parliament will change its mind.

“But what we need is a clear end date in law by which Huawei is taken out of the system.”

Mr Seely said there are “a lot of people who were concerned” about the GCHQ report and will try to amend legislation to force the Prime Minister to phase out Huawei sooner.

Huawei components are currently used widely across the UK, especially in the North of England.

Asked on Sunday about the leaked security report, Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, said: “When we came out with an interim report on this earlier in the year, there were a number of conditions that needed to be met.

"I'm sure that the National Security Council will look at those conditions and make the right decision on this to make sure that we have both a very strong telecoms infrastructure and everyone can get phone signal, but also that it is secure and the British Government can have confidence that it is secure."

Victor Zhang, Vice President at Huawei, said: “We are working closely with our customers to find ways of managing the proposed US restrictions so the UK can maintain its current lead in 5G.

“As ever, we remain open to discussions with the Government. We believe it is too early to determine the impact of the proposed restrictions, which are not about security, but about market position.”