Dearlove says China embedded in UK 5G is a serious security problem given Chinese intelligence nature.
“The fact is, if you understand the nature of Chinese leadership, Chinese intelligence, having China embedded in our five gs is a security problem, a serious one.”
Dearlove reveals British Telecom signed a deal with Huawei in 2001-2002 while he was MI6 chief, creating significant entanglement.
“The problem is that British Telecom signed a deal back in 2001, 2002 actually, whilst I was chief with Huawei.”
Dearlove reveals British Telecom signed a deal with Huawei in 2001-2002 while he was MI6 chief.
“The problem is that British Telecom signed a deal back in 2001, 2002 actually, whilst I was chief with Huawei. And we became very much involved with this company and entangled with them.”
Dearlove says UK must halt Huawei involvement in 5G despite existing entanglement with the company.
“But just because they are, given, as it were, the importance of five gs in terms of our national infrastructure, I really think we have to call a halt and step back,”
Dearlove argues any Chinese corporation is ultimately controlled by the Communist Party and must obey in crisis.
“The fact is you cannot get around the security problem that any Chinese corporation is ultimately under the control of the Chinese Communist Party. If in a crisis they are told to jump.”
Dearlove reveals intelligence community objected to BT's original China deal but was overruled by policymakers.
“Now at the time that that deal was signed there were strong objections from people like me in the intelligence community. We were totally overruled.”