Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson SACKED after leaking top secret information about Chinese firm Huawei in spy probe

Thank you for your time this evening. We discussed the investigation into the unauthorised disclosure of information from the National Security Council meeting on 23 April.

This is an extremely serious matter, and a deeply disappointing one. It is vital for the operation of good government and for the UK’s national interest in some of the most sensitive and important areas that the members of the NSC – from our Armed Forces, our Security and Intelligence Agencies, and the most senior level of Government – are able to have frank and detailed discussions in full confidence that the advice and analysis provided is not discussed or divulged beyond that trusted environment.

That is why I commissioned the Cabinet Secretary to establish an investigation into the unprecedented leak from the NSC meeting last week, and why I expected everyone connected to it – Ministers and officials alike – to comply with it fully. You undertook to do so.

I am therefore concerned by the manner in which you have engaged with this investigation. It has been conducted fairly, with the full co-operation of other NSC attendees.

They have all answered questions, engaged properly, provided as much information as possible to assist with the investigation, and encouraged their staff to do the same. Your conduct has not been of the same standard as others.

In our meeting this evening, I put to you the latest information from the investigation, which provides compelling evidence suggesting your responsibility for the unauthorised disclosure.

No other, credible version of events to explain this leak has been identified.

It is vital that I have full confidence in the members of my Cabinet and of the NSC. The gravity of this issue alone and its ramifications for the operation of the NSC and the UK’s national interest, warrants the serious steps we have taken, and an equally serious response.

It is therefore with great sadness that I have concluded that I can no longer have full confidence in you as Secretary of State for Defence and a Minister in my Cabinet and asked you to leave Her Majesty’s Government.

Ministers have been debating whether to allow controversial telecoms giant Huawei to help build new mobile phone networks in the UK.

The Chinese electronics company, the world’s second-largest smartphone seller, wanted to supply “non core” elements of the new 5G network in the UK.
They are one of a handful of firms who have developed the next generation of high-speed internet.

But it’s feared they could use their equipment to help carry out cyber attacks and even steal Brits’ identities.

Several cabinet ministers think that it could harm our national security and Five Eyes alliance.

A new law in the country requires all Chinese firms to assist with the state’s spy agencies.

America has said the Chinese company is “untrustworthy” and threatened to stop sharing top-secret intelligence with us if we work with them.

And New Zealand and Australia have placed extra restrictions on the use of the company’s equipment.

In the UK, BT confirmed it is removing Huawei equipment from key areas of its 4G network after MI6 expressed concerns for national security. However, BT denied the move was anything to do with security concerns.
A string of senior MPs said the risk of Chinese espionage was too high, and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said there must be a “degree of caution” because Chinese firms are forced by law to work with their intelligence services.

Gavin Williamson was one of the senior ministers who was opposed to letting them help.

Yesterday it was revealed that security flaws were discovered in internet gear equipment, adding to concerns about security fears.

The Government has said it’s confident there will be no risk of China being able to spy on the UK.