MI5 boss Andrew Parker brushes off fears intelligence-sharing with US could be hit by Huawei deal
- Head of MI5 Sir Andrew Parker rejected transatlantic intelligence sharing idea
- Said links between Britain, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand – strongest ever
- Sir Andrew said he had ‘no reason to think’ intelligence with the US would suffer
The head of MI5 last night rejected the idea that transatlantic intelligence-sharing would be damaged if technology from Huawei is used in the UK’s 5G mobile phone network.
Sir Andrew Parker said he had ‘no reason to think’ the intelligence partnership with the US would suffer if ministers give the green light to involvement from the Chinese firm.
His comments will increase speculation that the firm’s equipment will be allowed in non-critical parts of the network when a decision is made this month.
Head of MI5 Sir Andrew Parker (pictured) said he had ‘no reason to think’ the intelligence partnership with the US would suffer if ministers give the green light to involvement from the Chinese firm
In an interview with the Financial Times, Sir Andrew, who is stepping down as director-general in April, said the links in the ‘five eyes’ intelligence partnership between Britain, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand were ‘the strongest they’ve been’.
He said the US-UK partnership was ‘very close and trusted’, adding: ‘It is, of course, of great importance to us. And, I dare say, to the US too, though that’s for them to say. It is a two-way street.’
Sir Andrew’s comment come as US security officials prepare to urge the Government to exclude Huawei from any role in the construction of the 5G network.
Advisers to Donald Trump from the US National Security Agency and National Economic Council will meet their counterparts in London today.
Sir Andrew rejected the idea that transatlantic intelligence-sharing would be damaged if technology from Huawei is used in the UK’s 5G mobile phone network
The Trump administration wants the UK to follow its lead and block Huawei entirely from the next-generation network. Australia has already excluded the company, which has close links to the Chinese state, over security fears.
Sir Andrew’s comments appear to be at odds with those of his MI6 counterpart, Alex Younger, who in 2018 raised concerns about Chinese companies building high-speed mobile internet networks in the UK.
Mr Younger said: ‘This is about how 5G will, by and large, be based on Chinese technology. We need to decide the extent to which we are going to be comfortable with Chinese ownership of these technologies and these platforms in an environment where some of our allies have taken quite a definite position.’