The Chinese telecoms giant which may supply technology for the UK’s new 5G mobile network has received funding from Beijing’s intelligence and security agencies, the CIA reportedly warned British spy bosses.

Huawei received money from China's National Security Commission, the People's Liberation Army and a branch of the country’s state intelligence network, The Times reported.

The US is said to have warned fellow members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance – the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada – earlier this year.

The accusations come amid growing concerns that allowing Huawei to provide new telecoms infrastructure could provide China a backdoor for eavesdropping on sensitive phone calls and emails, gaining access to counter-terrorist operations and spying on politicians and business leaders.

In December, defence secretary Gavin Williamson said he had “very deep concerns” about the company – which was founded by a former officer in the People's Liberation Army – being involved in the upgrade to 5G.

Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Show all 20 1 /20 Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China An employee enters a train in the Huawei's Ox Horn campus at Songshan Lake in Dongguan Reuters Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China A worker cleans a waterway as office buildings are seen at Huawei's new Ox Horn Research and Development campus in Dongguan, near shenzen Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China An area of Huawei's Ox Horn campus modelled after Cesky Krumlov in Czech Republic Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China The real Cesky Krumlov in Czech Republic Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Employees sleep in their cubicle in the research and development area after lunch at the Bantian campus in Shenzhen Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China An area of Huawei's Ox Horn campus modelled after Heidelberg in Germany Getty Images Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Employees play basketball on a court within the staff housing complex at the end of the workday at the Bantian campus in Shenzhen Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China A replica of the Karl Theodor Bridge in Huawei's Ox Horn campus Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China The real Karl Theodor Bridge in Heidelberg, Germany Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Huawei's Ox Horn campus at Songshan Lake in Dongguan Reuters Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Employees ride the bus home at the end of the workday from the company's Bantian campus in Shenzhen Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Huawei workers eat their subsidised lunch in one of many large cafeterias at the company's Bantian campus in Shenzhen Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Reception staff walk in front of a large screen showcasing different technologies in the foyer of a building used for high profile customer visits at the campus in Shenzen Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China An employee reads in the staff library on a break at the company's Bantian campus in Shenzhen Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China An area of Huawei's new Ox Horn campus modelled after a European City Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Servers are seen inside Huawei's factory campus in Dongguan Reuters Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China The conductor waits for a train in the Huawei's Ox Horn campus at Songshan Lake in Dongguan Reuters Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China A general view shows the research and development centre at Huawei's Ox Horn campus AFP/Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Employees works on a mobile phone production line at Huawei's factory campus in Dongguan Reuters Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China An office building on the Huawei campus in Dongguan AFP/Getty

He pointed out that all Chinese companies are required to hand over any information requested by the state.

Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the US have all banned Huawei from providing critical infrastructure.

But a spokesman for the company refused to engage with the new funding allegations.

"Huawei does not comment on unsubstantiated allegations backed up by zero evidence from anonymous sources," they told The Times.

The Independent has approached Huawei for comment.

The CIA, MI6 and Chinese state security agencies did not respond to Reuters for requests for comment.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events