A public affairs firm founded by a senior Tory has been lobbying MPs on behalf of controversial Chinese technology giant Huawei.
Hawthorn Advisors, launched by party co-chairman Ben Elliot in 2013, has been trying to win over Tory backbenchers who are unhappy with Huawei technology being used for the UK’s 5G network.
Mr Elliot, the nephew of the Duchess of Cornwall, was appointed joint party chair by Boris Johnson last July.
Mr Elliot, 44, stood down as a director of Hawthorn this year and entered his shares into trust.
The firm denies there is any conflict of interest.
One MP concerned about UK involvement with Chinese state-backed Huawei said: “We’re being lobbied to give Huawei an even more significant role in our communications infrastructure yet there is irrefutable evidence China poses a risk to us and our allies.
“Ben Elliot, who has privileged access to the Prime Minister, has a financial stake in a firm paid to represent Huawei.
“This raises questions about a potential conflict of interest.” Hawthorn said: “Ben was an investor in Hawthorn when we launched in 2013.
“He has never had any involvement with Hawthorn’s clients.”
The Tory Party said: “Ben Elliot has nothing to do with the running of Hawthorn or its clients.”
The PM is thought to be set to end the use of Huawei tech in the 5G network within months amid fears US sanctions will make the firm’s equipment a security risk.
It emerged this year Mr Elliot’s concierge firm, Quintessentially, had been paid £1.4million by the Government to pamper rich foreign visitors.
