PM’s new chief of staff warns Chinese Hinkley Point backers could cut off power ‘at will

THERESA May’s shock decision to review the Hinkley Point project comes just months after her top aide warned its Chinese backers could cut off power “at will”.

Joint chief of staff Nick Timothy used an article for the Conservative Home website to raise concerns over the UK’s willingness to roll out the red carpet to China.

3

Written while Mr Timothy was out of government, working for the New Schools Network, he also attacked former Chancellor George Osborne’s approach of inviting Chinese investment come what may.

He said “Chinese gold” was buying “British silence on human rights abuses”.

But he reserved his toughest criticism for the approach of turning a blind eye to security fears on nuclear and other projects.

3

Mr Timothy wrote: “Security experts — reportedly inside as well as outside government — are worried the Chinese could use their role to build weaknesses into computer systems allowing them to shut down Britain’s energy production at will.”

He quoted worries from ex GCHQ chief Sir Iain Lobban about Chinese attempts to steal UK designs and the story of a cyber attack on a major London company told by former MI5 boss Sir Jonathan Evans.

Mr Timothy said: “Evidence like this makes it all the more baffling that the British Government has been so welcoming to Chinese state-owned companies in sensitive sectors.”

Related Stories

China fallout

Theresa May puts the brakes on Hinkley Point nuclear power project amid security fears over China's involvement

'bewildering and bonkers'

Government decision to delay Hinkley Point C threatens thousands of jobs, unions warn

POWER OFF!

Theresa May slams brakes on plans for Hinkley Point C £18billion nuclear power plant

JAMES FORSYTH

Theresa May must use summer to find right Brexit deal

He insisted: “Rational concerns about national security are being swept to one side because of the desperate desire for Chinese trade and investment.”

Mr Timothy added: “The Government, however, seems intent on ignoring the evidence and presumably the advice of the security and intelligence agencies.

3

But no amount of trade and investment should ­justify allowing a hostile state easy access to the country’s critical national infrastructure.

“Of course we should seek to trade with countries right across the world — but not when doing business comes at the expense of Britain’s own national security.”