Huawei: Unprecedented leak of secret government talks could lead to criminal investigation, minister says

Ministers "cannot exclude" the possibility of a criminal investigation after an unprecedented leak of secret discussions over a decision to allow a Chinese telecommunications giant to work on the UK's 5G mobile network.

It follows demands from both Conservative MPs and the Labour Party for a full-blown leak inquiry over reports that Huawei's work had been approved at this week's National Security Council (NSC) - despite opposition from some cabinet ministers.

Details from the highly secretive NSC emerged on Wednesday – a day after a meeting at which Ms May and senior ministers discussed the issue with chiefs of security and intelligence agencies.

Reports have suggested spy chiefs are furious at the leak from a forum at which sensitive matters are discussed openly in confidence that they will not be shared more widely.

Responding to the calls, Theresa May's official spokesman said the prime minister is "clear that the protection of information on matters of national security is of the highest importance".

They declined to be drawn on whether an internal inquiry would be launched, adding: "I don't think you would expect me to comment on leaks or questions about leak inquiries."

But addressing MPs in the Commons during an urgent question on the issue of Huawei, the culture secretary Jeremy Wright said "we cannot exclude the possibility of a criminal investigation" following the NSC leak.

He was asked by Tory MP Victoria Prentis whether he agreed that members should "choose our words very carefully" on Huawei as the reports could "become the subject of a criminal prosecution".

During the urgent question in the Commons, the shadow cabinet office minister Jo Platt, said: "The only reason we know the decision to green-light Huawei is from an apparent ministerial leak of a meeting of the National Security Council, which has only served to raise public concern whilst undermining the integrity of our security agencies."

She continued: "If a minister did leak the information, they are not fit to serve in the cabinet – and are certainly not fit to be prime minister

"Indeed, if the leak was for an advantage in a Tory leadership race that would be truly shocking. Critical issues of national security should be handled with utmost care, not used as political ammunition in a Tory Party civil war.

Conservative grandee Sir Nicholas Soames also told the BBC that the leak would "cause our friends and allies to wonder if we can be considered reliable" and called for those responsible to be sacked.

Earlier Dominic Grieve, the chairman of the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee, said the leak from the NSC's discussions was "deeply worrying" and that collective cabinet responsibility appeared to be breaking down.

"The principle that what is discussed at the NSC is kept totally confidential is really important," he told the BBC. "That that should have been breached ion this fashion - and I can't think of any occasion where it has happened before – I think it is deeply worrying."

"If it turned out that it was a member of the cabinet – or indeed a minister who was attending the NSC – they should be sacked immediately."