Boris Johnson news: PM risks wrath of Trump by approving Huawei 5G role, as plan for Australian-style immigration system rejected
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Boris Johnson has risked the fury of Donald Trump by giving the go-ahead for Huawei to help build the UK’s 5G infrastructure – but only the “periphery of the network”, and capping the Chinese tech giant’s market share at 35 per cent.
It comes as the PM’s proposal for an Australian-style points-based immigration system for the bulk of migrants has been rejected by a government-commissioned review. It also recommended ministers lower a £30,000 salary threshold.
A new Brexit row with the EU has also emerged, with a leaked document indicating Brussels is set to demand the European Court of Justice (ECJ) enforces trade deal rules. Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said the UK could “not accept” such a move.
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No 10 to consider migration review report
Downing Street declined to say whether it would adopt the advice of its independent experts to dump a planned “Australian-style” points-based system for most migrants after Brexit.
The Migration Advisory Committee provoked surprise when its long-awaited study recommended the system – based on factors such as age, qualifications and previous study in the UK – be introduced for highly-skilled migrants only.
The prime minister’s spokesman said Boris Johnson remained committed to the so-called Australian-style system, but declined to say if that would only be for some arrivals.
“We will set out those details in due course,” he told The Independent. The response is expected within the next few weeks.
Huawei promises to ‘boost economic growth’ in Britain
The Chinese tech giant’s vice-president Victor Zhang has responded to the government’s decision to allow the company a restricted role in building the UK’s 5G infrastructure.
“Huawei is reassured by the UK government’s confirmation that we can continue working with our customers to keep the 5G roll-out on track,” he said.
“This evidence-based decision will result in a more advanced, more secure and more cost-effective telecoms infrastructure that is fit for the future.
“It gives the UK access to world-leading technology and ensures a competitive market ... We will build on this strong track record, supporting our customers as they invest in their 5G networks, boosting economic growth and helping the UK continue to compete globally.
“We agree a diverse vendor market and fair competition are essential for network reliability and innovation, as well as ensuring consumers have access to the best possible technology.”
Huawei's UK headquarters in Reading (PA)
Tory MP says 'many areas of concern' over No 10's Huawei decision
Jennifer Arcuri tells Dominic Cummings: ‘I can help’
Boris Johnson’s former closer personal friend has returned to the scene with a plea to the PM’s right-hand man Dominic Cummings: let me help you hire some misfits.
Writing an open letter to Cummings in The Daily Mail, the ex-model turned tech entrepreneur responded to the aide’s call for “weirdos” to apply for jobs at No 10.
“I can certainly recommend a few oddballs who could help. I’ve been hiring people like that for years,” wrote Arcuri.
She also revealed she thought too many people in Westminster have sex on the brain.
Recalling a meeting with MPs at which she brought up “penetration testing” (programmers’ jargon for seeking out weaknesses), she said they “sniggered like smutty schoolchildren”.
She signed off by stating: “As I always used to tell the prime minister, now is the time to ‘get excited’”.
No sniggering!
Tech entrepreneur Jennifer Arcuri (Reuters)
Only 14 percent of people back PM’s Huawei decision
A YouGov poll released today shows that the public disagree with the government’s decision to allow Chinese state-owned Huawei to build “non-core” parts of Britain’s 5G network.
Only 14 per cent agree with decision, while 43 per cent disagree with it. Another 43 per cent don’t know what to think.
‘Not even our closest ally … listens to us’ says US senator
Sharing an article about Boris Johnson’s decision on Huawei, US senator Chris Murphy – a Democrat – tweeted: “America has never been weaker. We have never had less influence.
“Not even our closest ally Britain, with a Trump soulmate in Downing Street, listens to us anymore.”
Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan said it “should end any fears our Prime Minister will be a lapdog to the White House”.
Terry Christian vs. Mark Francois
If you missed it earlier, Tory MP Mark Francois clashed with the once-notable broadcaster Terry Christian during a Brexit debate on Good Morning Britain.
It began with the former presenter of The Word attempting to defend having labelled people who voted to leave the EU “pitiable saps” who might soon be selling The Big Issue.
It soon descended into a bad-natured farce in which no-one emerged with any credit.
“Terry, we’ve heard enough!” Susanna Reid shouted at one point during the furious slanging match.
Trump will ask Johnson if he had ‘all the information’, says president’s ex-adviser
Tim Morrison, a former adviser to Donald Trump, told the BBC: “If I were a member of parliament I would want to understand... why does my constituency not deserve the same level of protection, and the same level of 5G service, as the people of the United States, the people of Australia, the people of New Zealand, and the people of Japan?”
Referring to the US president, Morrison said: “I think this will be something where the president will ask whether or not his friend the prime minister had all the information.”
Asked if the decision could damage the prospects of a future trade deal with the US, he added: “I continue to have concerns about that.
“We have seen unions in the United States, we have seen Republican members of Congress who are traditionally free trade advocates, who have all expressed concerns about what it means to sign a free trade deal under these circumstances where we have to wonder whether or not our British allies are more interested in Chinese investment versus American investment.
“That’s the importance of the statement that the prime minister has made today.”
Huawei decision ‘grave short-sighted mistake’ says Republican politician
Elise Stefanik, a Republican US congresswoman, tweeted: “The decision by (Boris Johnson) to allow Huawei into the UK’s telecommunications network is wrong, dangerous, and a grave shortsighted mistake.
“Congress must work on a bipartisan basis to push back on this decision by the UK to open their arms to China's surveillance state.”
Huawei decision: other networks respond
Some fairly cagey reactions from other companies involved in 5G technology and telecoms infrastructure in the UK.
Mobile operator O2 said: “Huawei kit makes up less than 1% of our owned network infrastructure. We will continue to develop our 5G network with minimum disruption with our primary vendors Nokia and Ericsson.
“Whilst we agree with the government that diversity of supply is the best way to serve customers, careful consideration must be given to the distinction between ‘core’ and ‘non-core’ as 5G networks develop and evolve. We’ll now take time to review the full report.”
A Vodafone spokesperson said: “While Vodafone UK does not use Huawei in its core - the intelligent part of the network - it will now analyse the potential impact of today’s decision on the non-core elements of its network (masts and transmission links).
“By working closely with the relevant authorities on any required substitution of equipment and its timing, we aim to keep any potential disruption to customers to a minimum.”
A spokesman for BT, which owns mobile network EE, said: “While we have prepared for a range of scenarios, we need to further analyse the details and implications of this decision before taking a view of potential costs and impacts.”
Huawei's UK headquarters in Reading (AFP)
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