The outgoing chairman of Huawei's UK arm has said he chose to leave the Chinese firm when US sanctions hobbled the business. 

Lord Browne, the former boss of BP, said the decision to block Huawei from using American chips in its product 'increased the risk' and left it with 'very little new business growth'. 

But he also defended the telecoms company, insisting it was 'wonderfully open' about its affairs. 

'When the facts change, so too do my opinions,' the 72-year-old told The Sunday Times. 

It comes after Browne and other British directors were criticised for being on the board of Huawei, which will be banned from involvement in the UK 5G network from 2027.