The Minister of defence of the United Kingdom Gavin Williamson dismissed with the scandal over leaks of confidential data related to the Chinese telecommunications Corporation Huawei, suspected of industrial espionage

Arron Hoare / Number 10 / Flickr

Gavin Williamson

Number 10 / Flickr

The Minister of defence of the United Kingdom Gavin Williamson dismissed with the scandal over leaks of confidential data related to the Chinese telecommunications Corporation Huawei, suspected of industrial espionage.

Prime Minister Theresa may sent a Minister to resign, citing loss of confidence. The reason for this was the unauthorized distribution of proprietary classified information from closed April meeting of the national security Council, which discussed possible cooperation of great Britain with the Chinese Corporation Huawei for the deployment of 5G networks.

The investigation into the leak began on 26 April, but then members of the Cabinet and their assistants were given questionnaires in which they had to specify detailed information about committed their telephone calls, their location within a few hours after a meeting of the national security Council and possible contacts with journalists from The Daily Telegraph prior to the publication of material about the decision of the security Council on Huawei. In the national security Council meeting was attended by nine people, including Williamson. The results of the investigation British intelligence agencies provided Prime Minister may ample evidence of his guilt.

– In Moscow welcomed the resignation of Williamson – he never liked the Ministry of foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
– To blame the Chinese Corporation Huawei

“The Prime Minister took the decision due to his actions surrounding the investigation into unauthorized disclosure of data from meetings of the national security Council” – quoted by the British broadcasting Corporation BBC official statement, which is not a word about the data breach. However, in a letter to Williamson, which may have accompanied a formal resignation, she explained the reasons for his decision: “At the meeting this evening, I provided you with the latest information on the investigation, which contains conclusive evidence of your liability for unauthorized disclosure of information. Nothing else can explain this leak”.

The Prime Minister stressed that the conduct of the Minister during the investigation “did not meet standards.” “It is with great sadness that I report that decided that no longer have full confidence in You as the Minister of defense and member of the Cabinet of Ministers. I ask You to leave the government,” – wrote the Prime Minister.

How to write the British media, due to leakage, it became known that the Chinese manufacturer Huawei will supply equipment capable of identifying the user’s mobile device. Possible deal in the UK with Huawei criticized the United States and some members of the government may. According to them, cooperation could pose a threat to the national security of the Kingdom. Besides, Washington accuses Huawei of industrial espionage.

Sky News reports that now about Williamson can open a criminal investigation. Meanwhile he accused the Minister in an interview said that his resignation was politically motivated and vowed that neither he nor any of employees of Department headed by it was not involved in the leak.

The same evening, the Prime Minister may have appointed to the post of defense Minister penny Mordaunt, who earlier held the post of Minister for international development. It will be replaced by former Deputy Minister of justice for the penitentiary institutions Rory Stewart.

In Moscow welcomed the resignation of Williamson – he never liked the Ministry of foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

42-year-old Williamson served as defense Minister since November 2017. In Russia, he gained fame after, in March last year, advised Russia in the investigation into the poisoning of ex-GRU Colonel Sergei Skripal and his daughter Julia to “step aside and shut up”, reminds TASS.

In Moscow the words of Williamson associated with the decline of British diplomacy. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov then noted that Williamson may not have enough education.

Now, commenting on high-profile resignation, the official representative of Russian foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova in his Facebook wrote that the Prime Minister’s decision may belatedly – in Moscow long ago ceased to believe in his ability to hold office.

“Brilliant, albeit late. We here have long lost faith in the ability of Gavin Williamson to take the post,” wrote Zakharov.

To blame the Chinese Corporation Huawei

Chinese telecommunication company Huawei was threatened with international economic sanctions after the US and Australia accused her of industrial espionage and gathering secret data using its equipment used in different countries.

In the Wake of these charges in Canada at the request of the US on 1 December last year was arrested the Treasurer of the company Meng Wanzhou, which Washington suspected of violating American trade sanctions against Iran.

Corporation Huawei was founded in 1987. It produces telecommunications equipment, and consumer devices, smartphones. Products and services of the company are available in more than 170 countries.