Britain will not consider high-risk equipment vendors in security-critical parts of its next-generation 5G networks, Cabinet Office minister David Lidington says.
Sources told Reuters on Wednesday Britain's National Security Council had decided this week to bar China's Huawei Technologies from all core parts of the 5G network and restrict its access to non-core parts.
Speaking at a cybersecurity conference in Glasgow, Lidington said Britain had rigorous procedures to manage risk in its infrastructure and the decision was based on "evidence and expertise not supposition or speculation."
"We will not countenance high-risk vendors in those parts of the UK's 5G network that perform critical security functions," he said.
"The government approach is not about one company or even one country, it is about ensuring stronger cybersecurity across telecoms, greater resilience in telecoms networks and more diversity in the supply chain."
Contrary to Lidington, British Digital Minister Jeremy Wright said the government had not yet decided whether to allow Huawei to supply parts for the network.
The United States has been lobbying allies to exclude Huawei from all 5G networks, noting that the Chinese government can force the company to give it backdoor access to data.
Some UK lawmakers, meanwhile, have called for an inquiry into the leak of discussions held at the meeting of the National Security Council.
British Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman said the protection of information on national security matters was of the highest importance.
With AP
