Yves Leterme, former Prime Minister and CD&V archebeeld, worked a few years ago as a consultant for the Chinese telecom company Huawei. That was confirmed to the editors of VRT NWS. The telecom company was recently mentioned in a bribery store in the European Parliament. Leterme would not be part of the research.
According to the public broadcaster, the former Prime Minister worked as a consultant for Huawei in 2019. Leterme confirms that he advised the Chinese company a few years ago, but was unable to stick specific timing on it. He was also not sure if he is currently giving advice to Huawei.
To VRT NWS, who contacted the former prime minister, he told him that he was never asked to approach politicians in the name of Huawei. According to Leterme, consultancy work went through a large consultancy. His task was to “give advice on how the government functions in Belgium”.
A legal function, but it is just about Huawei, is remarkable. The Chinese company was recently discredited because the European MPs would have bribed by traveling, dinner and football tickets for Anderlecht for them. Buying GSMs is also part of this.
The investigation into that possible bribery is ongoing. The public prosecutor is investigating whether the gifts have influenced European politicians in their vision and views on Huawei. Last week 21 house searches took place in that context. The public prosecutor is still looking at whether politicians were given through conferences.
Four people were arrested because they are suspected of membership of a criminal organization and active corruption. A fifth person, suspected of money laundering, was released under certain conditions. Their lobbyists are no longer allowed to enter the buildings of the European Parliament. There are currently no indications that Leterme’s activities are part of that research.
In the meantime, Huawei all denies accusing and emphasizing that they use a zero tolerance when it comes to corruption.
Limits
Despite their zero tolerance used, question marks have been put at the telecom company for some time. For example, during his first term of office, US President Donald Trump prohibited his government to purchase Huawei products. A year later, the company even ended up on the blacklist in the United States. Google also imposed limitations in the use of their Android control system by Huawei.
Strict measures but according to the government of Trump desperately needed in the context of national security. According to the president, the risk of espionage by the Chinese government via Huawei was too great.
Europe also took action. In 2020, the European Commission warned of certain suppliers of the then super fast 5G technology. Huawei was not mentioned by name, but it was indirectly referred to. Proximus and Orange responded to the warnings and replaced the Chinese company by Nokia and Ericsson.