UK's Boris Johnson says Huawei critics should suggest alternatives

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday that opponents of Huawei should suggest alternatives to Chinese techlogy company as countries start start building out next-generation wireless networks.

Johnson's comments in an interview with BBC come after American national security and telecom officials met ir British counterparts in London, ahe of a government decision on wher re's a future for Huawei in U.K.'s new 5G networks.

“ British public deserve to have access to best possible techlogy,” Johnson said. “w, if people oppose one brand or ar, n y have to tell us what's alternative, right?”

Johnson ted that on or hand, “I don't want, as U.K. prime minister, to put in any infrastructure that is going to prejudice our national security or our ability to cooperate with Five Eyes intelligence partners,” which include U.S., Cana, Australia and New Zealand.

U.S. has been trying to persue its European allies to avoid using Huawei equipment in superfast next-generation telecom networks, over concerns China's authorities can compel company to facilitate electronic spying - allegations Huawei denies. U.S. officials have repeatedly warned y would have to rethink intelligence sharing with any countries that use Huawei gear in 5G networks.

British government is expected to make a final decision on Huawei's role in “n-core" parts of network, such as antennas. Multiple British media reports said U.S. delegation told British officials that using Huawei would be “mness” and presented m with a technical file of new security risks.