Thread by @SamuelStolton

So @OliverDowden @DCMS is pitching Huawei's exclusion from UK 5G as a 'diversification strategy' rather than a decision based on cybersecurity / espionage...euractiv.com/section/5g/new…

Interesting to note that the possible ban is more down to the limit in the supply chain of US-made equipment to Huawei, following the US Department of Commerce restrictions in May.

So, 5G journos may have just spent 3 pointless years chasing around unfounded 5G cybersec myths..

The Trump administration could have saved everyone a lot of time in making the market restrictions years ago, instead of incessantly spreading a spurious narrative without any factual basis. @FCC repeatedly failed to publicly provide any evidence of Huawei spying...

At least now, we're getting to a stage where it's all out in the open. Rather than the US trying to spin this as a cybersecurity issue, Huawei's downfall in the West is now about market supply (which admittedly has occurred as a result of the US's original 'concerns')...

Weird thing is, governments are interpreting the US Department of Commerce restrictions differently. UK
@NCSC believes that it forces Huawei to use less secure equipment, but French @ANSSI_FR have ruled out a ban today: lesechos.fr/tech-medias/hi…

And in another weird twist, you may recall @NCSC chief Ciaran Martin telling a Brussels audience in 2019 that the UK was able to deal with Huawei risks, and that at the time Washington had yet to present any evidence of allegations of espionage: euractiv.com/section/cybers…

With this new @NCSC report, which is due in the next week, Martin has changed tack.

Footnote: He had been due to step down from his post in June, but has decided to remain in his post until August.

.@OliverDowden will digest @NCSC report, before reporting to PM.

BTW, @NCSC - any news on your new boss?