COPS ON CALL
Gavin Williamson demands police probe into HIMSELF claiming it’s the only way to clear his name over leak which got him sacked
No10 officials don't want to refer the former Defence Secretary to the police
GAVIN Williamson today called for the police to investigate HIMSELF - insisting he can clear his name despite being sacked from the Cabinet.
Scotland Yard are on standby to launch a probe into claims the ex-Defence Secretary leaked spy secrets.
4
But they can't start their investigation unless they get the green light from No10 - and Theresa May is reluctant to get the cops involved.
Today Mr Williamson told Sky News: "Honestly I don't know how I can clear my name unless there's a police investigation."
He insisted that if officers read the notes made by the journalist who broke the story that Chinese firm Huawei is to be allowed in to Britain's mobile network, they would see he is innocent.
The sacked Tory added: "Then I would get the nicest apology from the PM, far nicer than the last letter she sent me."
No10 is under growing pressure to release the evidence that Mr Williamson is guilty of leaking secrets about Huawei from the National Security Council.
A Met Police spokesman said: "We’re aware of the media reports in relation to the leak, and that is a matter for the National Security Council and the Cabinet Office to look at.
"At this time, we’re not carrying out an investigation. Clearly if at any stage we receive any information that would suggest criminal offences have been committed, then we will look into that."
Today Scotland Yard commissioner Cressida Dick confirmed her officers can only investigate if No10 formally asks them to and hands over all its evidence.
She said: "It is sitting in the Government. We as the police when considering whether there is an appropriate criminal investigation or not will have to be party to that material. At the present time we are not in possession."
LEAK ROW
The PM booted Mr Williamson out of the Cabinet last night, accusing him of being responsible for the leak from the ultra-secretive NSC.
Mrs May's aides insisted she has no plans to refer Mr Williamson to Scotland Yard and suggested his behaviour did not reach the level of a crime.
A Downing Street spokesman said: "This is not about what was leaked, it is about where it was leaked from, and the importance of maintaining trust and the integrity of the National Security Council."
This morning David Lidington, the de facto deputy MP, told MPs: "The Prime Minister has said that she now considers this matter has now been closed and the Cabinet Secretary does not consider it necessary to refer it to the police.
"But we would of course co-operate fully should the police themselves consider that an investigation were necessary.
"Whether a criminal offence has been committed is a matter for independent prosecution authorities and ultimately for the courts."
Whether a criminal offence has been committed is a matter ultimately for the courts
David Lidington
Responding in the Commons, Tory backbencher Desmond Swayne called on the Government to publish the evidence against Mr Williamson.
He stormed: "Outside this house a right honourable member is being called a liar, and inside this house a number of honourable members have implied as much.
"Natural justice demands that the evidence be produced so that his reputation can be salvaged or utterly destroyed."
And Bob Blackman said: "It is absolutely vital in most people's view that there is an independent police investigation to demonstrate whether he is guilty or not."
Intelligence experts and opposition politicians have called for the police to get involved urgently to ensure national security is not at risk.
Dominic Grieve, head of Parliament's intelligence and security committee, said today: "There is certainly an argument for referring it to the police.
"That's a matter which the Cabinet Secretary and Prime Minister have to justify."
Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson added: "This is about the law applying equally and to everyone. We have had high-profile civil servants go to jail for breaching the Official Secrets Act.
"The logic of the Prime Minister's letter is she says she has compelling evidence that suggests he has done the same.
"He is denying it and he has the right to clear his name - the way to do that is a criminal inquiry if confidential information has leaked."
And Lord Ricketts, the former national security adviser to David Cameron, blasted: "The police ought to be considering - is there a case?"
PM'S EVIDENCE
Labour MP Chris Bryant claimed that if Mrs May chickens out of calling the police, it will prove she doesn't have the evidence to prove Mr Williamson's guilt.
Asked about the issue today, Jeremy Hunt said: "When it comes to issues like whether there should be a police investigation or not, there's a very very important principle of our system that those decisions are not made by politicians - they are made independently by police."
Amber Rudd added: "It's up to the Prime Minister but she's made her decision, we all have to have confidence in the National Security Council."
The former minister is accused of telling a reporter that Britain was planning to give Chinese firm Huawei access to our mobile network.
He denies any responsibility and claims a police probe would prove he is innocent.
MOST READ IN POLITICS
Mr Williamson told The Times: "I volunteered everything up. I couldn't have volunteered more information on the whole thing.
"Frankly I'd rather have had a police inquiry, because the beauty of a police inquiry is I'd have been absolutely exonerated and would have been in the clear."
The new Defence Secretary is Penny Mordaunt, who is replaced as International Development Secretary by Rory Stewart.
National row over Huawei danger to UK security
MINISTERS have been debating whether to allow controversial telecoms giant Huawei to help build new mobile phone networks in the UK.
The Chinese electronics company, the world's second-largest smartphone seller, wanted to supply "non core" elements of the new 5G network in the UK.
They are one of a handful of firms who have developed the next generation of high-speed internet.
But it's feared they could use their equipment to help carry out cyber attacks and even steal Brits' identities.
Several cabinet ministers think that it could harm our national security and Five Eyes alliance.
A new law in the country requires all Chinese firms to assist with the state's spy agencies.
America has said the Chinese company is "untrustworthy" and threatened to stop sharing top-secret intelligence with us if we work with them.
And New Zealand and Australia have placed extra restrictions on the use of the company's equipment.
In the UK, BT confirmed it is removing Huawei equipment from key areas of its 4G network after MI6 expressed concerns for national security. However, BT denied the move was anything to do with security concerns.
A string of senior MPs said the risk of Chinese espionage was too high, and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said there must be a “degree of caution” because Chinese firms are forced by law to work with their intelligence services.
Gavin Williamson was one of the senior ministers who was opposed to letting them help.
Yesterday it was revealed that security flaws were discovered in internet gear equipment, adding to concerns about security fears.
The Government has said it's confident there will be no risk of China being able to spy on the UK.
4
4
4
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson previously denied leaking National Security Council information
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online politics team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours
Topics