Boris Johnson news: PM risks wrath of Trump by approving Huawei 5G role, as plan for Australian-style immigration system rejected

Brexit timeline: From 2013 referendum promise to a 2020 exit

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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Key Points

• Huawei will face ‘tight restrictions’ over 5G build, says culture secretary
• China ‘building surveillance state’ says Tory MP
• Brussels demand for EU court as arbiter ‘unacceptable’, says IDS
• Labour warned against adopting ‘rejoin EU’ position
• PM urged to cut £30,000 salary threshold for migrants

[28 January 2020 18:27 · Ashley Cowburn]

Johnson scrambles to rescue 'points-based' immigration pledge

A blueprint for cutting immigration after Brexit ordered by Boris Johnson has been branded “a disaster” by social care leaders and left his own promise of a ‘points-based’ system in tatters.

Downing Street is scrambling to rescue the prime minister’s high-profile pledge to adopt the Australian system after it was rejected by the independent migration advisory committee (MAC) – which branded it “a soundbite”.

Such a system – based on factors such as age, qualifications and previous study in the UK – risked repeating past “mistakes” and should be introduced for highly-skilled migrants only, the MAC said.