BORIS Johnson was warned to remove Chinese tech giant Huawei’s components from the UK 5G network “without delay”.
The Government, which agreed in January the firm could supply non-“core” elements, will outline its U-turn after a National Security Council meeting this week.
Tory rebels, who include Iain Duncan Smith, have indicated they could live with a 2025 exit date, but want a timetable.
The move, which comes amid continuing fears that Huawei is a potential national security danger, could begin this year.
US sanctions mean Huawei cannot use American components, which will mean the firm would have to use untrusted technology.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has said the US action will hamper Huawei’s ability to act as a 5G network provider.
But Huawei urged ministers not to be “hasty” and warned that 5G is “vital to the future of the UK’s digital economy”.
Sam Armstrong, of the Henry Jackson Society think-tank, said: “Every day we spend with just one piece of Huawei equipment in our networks leaves our network vulnerable to attack. The Government must tear it out root and branch without delay.”
Mobile phone blackouts have been forecast if Vodafone and BT do not have at least five years to remove Huawei components.
But Huawei vice-president Victor Zhang said it wants to provide the technology to keep the UK connected 24/7.
The firm has denied it spies for the Chinese state.
