NEW No10 spin chief Guto Harri lobbied the Government on behalf of toxic Chinese tech giant Huawei, Trending In The News can reveal.
The controversial firm was banned from building the UK’s 5G network in 2020 because of its links to the Chinese Communist Party and spying fears.
But top-level Whitehall sources have confirmed Mr Harri was directly involved in talks with senior officials trying to head off the landmark ban.
Last night Mr Harri resigned from Hawthorn Advisers to become Downing Street’s Director of Communications.
The lobbying firm included Huawei as a major client in the two years that the former BBC journalist worked there. Sources say he had “a hands-on role”.
Friends last night insisted there was no problem with his work for the Chinese company, due to its previous key role providing 3G and 4G coverage to the UK.
And a Downing Street source said: “This is separate to his new role in No10. This Government is committed to removing Huawei from UK 5G networks by 2027.”
But Labour said: “We can’t have the revolving door from lobbying to Government see potential national security issues arise.”
Deputy leader Angela Rayner demanded answers.
She said: “We need full transparency from Guto Harri about all contact he had with Government in his former role and who his clients were.”
Huawei was given permission to build parts of the UK’s 5G network under Theresa May.
When Boris Johnson entered Downing Street and reviewed that decision, the firm launched a furious lobbying effort.
But spy chiefs, MPs and the White House objected to Huawei.
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