US officials 'issue dossier on #Huawei to Downing Street highlighting concerns over #5G network involvement'

US officials have issued Downing Street a dossier of information raising concerns over Huawei in a bid to stop the Chinese firm's potential involvement in the UK's 5G network, it has been reported. Officials from both countries met alongside representatives from the telecoms industry on Monday, ahead of the government's decision on whether to deploy technology from the company, writes Jacob Jarvis.

The United States is trying to persuade Britain not to use Huawei's equipment over what Washington says are security risks. Technical information was put forward in the talks as Washington highlighted security risks, both The Guardian and Financial Times report.

Huawei equipment could be used in some "non-core" parts of the network it has been reported previously, with a final decision due later in January. The Financial Times reports that it is thought Boris Johnson appears inclined to permit such involvement from the Chinese tech firm. Officials from the US said such involvement from Huawei would be “nothing short of madness”, The Guardian reports.

Johnson's spokesman, speaking ahead of the meeting, said: "The security and resilience of the UK's telecoms network is of paramount importance. "We have strict controls for how Huawei equipment is currently deployed in the UK. The government is undertaking a comprehensive review to ensure the security and resilience of 5G and fibre in the UK."

Huawei's new US lawsuit is the latest step in the US-China battle The meeting came following Tory MP Bob Seely's call for the Foreign Affairs Committee to open an immediate investigation into Huawei's suitability for use in Britain's 5G network. Bob Seely said Huawei "to all intents and purposes is part of the Chinese state" and its involvement would "effectively to allow China and its agencies access to our network" Foreign Office minister Andrew Stephenson said a final decision will be "taken in due course".

He added: "The Government will consider the full range of risks when making this decision."

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