The Huawei security leak from a top secret meeting that led to the sacking of ex-defence secretary Gavin Williamson did not breach the Official Secrets Act, police say.
The leak about the Chinese tech giant, from a meeting of the National Security Council “did not amount to a criminal offence”, Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu of the Metropolitan Police said.
Williamson, who was sacked as defence secretary over his alleged involvement in the disclosure, was among those to call for a criminal investigation, which he believed would “absolutely exonerate” him.
But Basu said he was “satisfied” that the details disclosed to the media did not “contain information that would breach the Official Secrets Act”.
In response to Basu’s comments, Williamson described an investigation into the leak as a “shabby and discredited witch hunt” and called for a “proper, full and impartial” investigation into it.
In a statement, he said: “With the Metropolitan Police not willing to do an criminal investigation it is clear a proper, full and impartial investigation needs to be conducted on this shabby and discredited witch hunt that has been so badly mishandled by both the Prime Minister and Mark Sedwill.”
Earlier, Basu said in a statement: “I have spoken to the Cabinet Office regarding the nature of the material that was discussed in the National Security Council.
“This material was used to inform a discussion, the outcome of which was subsequently disclosed to the media. I am satisfied that what was disclosed did not contain information that would breach the Official Secrets Act.
He added: “I have considered all the information available to me and I have taken legal advice. I am satisfied that the disclosure did not amount to a criminal offence, either under the Official Secrets Act or Misconduct in a Public Office.
“No crime has been committed and this is not a matter for the police.”
Opposition parties had called on Theresa May to refer the matter to the police for a criminal investigation, after Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said Scotland Yard would not launch an inquiry unless the case is referred to them by the Government.
Leaked reports of a meeting of the National Security Council last month suggested that the prime minister had cleared Huawei to be involved in “non-core” elements of the 5G network, such as antennae.
According to reports in the Daily Telegraph, May overruled five ministers who expressed concern that the company’s involvement might provide a route for Chinese spying and undermine allies’ confidence in the security of UK communications.
The PM told ITV News on Friday: “I did take a difficult decision. This was not about what was leaked, it was about where it was leaked from. It was the importance of the question of trust around that National Security Council table.”
Asked if she was convinced Mr Williamson was responsible for the leak of information about the NSC meeting, Mrs May said: “I took the decision that I did. That was the right decision.”