Chinese Businessman Allegedly Linked to Prince Andrew Banned from the UK Amid Spy Claims
A Chinese businessman allegedly linked to Britain’s Prince Andrew has been banned from entering the UK after a tribunal ruled that he posed a potential national security risk.
Identified only as “H6,” the 50-year-old businessman was described in court documents as a former junior Chinese civil servant turned corporate adviser. Authorities allege he has connections to China’s United Front Work Department, a branch of the Chinese Communist Party specializing in foreign influence and intelligence activities.
H6 had reportedly developed close ties with the Duke of York, attending private events at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, and even receiving written confirmation from a senior adviser that he was a trusted associate of the prince.
National Security Concerns
The businessman was first flagged by UK intelligence in 2021 when his devices were confiscated and examined at a border checkpoint. Evidence revealed he had been given the authority to act on Prince Andrew’s behalf in dealings with Chinese investors and had bypassed the prince’s former aides.
In a ruling on Thursday, a tribunal upheld the UK government’s decision to bar H6 from the country, stating that his access to influential figures could facilitate political interference. The court allowed H6 to remain anonymous, but his connections to senior UK and Chinese officials continue to raise red flags.
Prince Andrew’s Office Responds
Prince Andrew’s office issued a statement on Friday distancing the Duke of York from the controversy, asserting that the alleged spy’s visits had not involved any sensitive discussions. “All contact with the individual has ceased,” the statement confirmed.
However, lawmakers expressed concerns that H6’s connections could have already influenced the Duke or other high-profile officials. Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK Party, has called for parliamentary action to name the alleged spy, leveraging parliamentary privilege to bypass legal restrictions.
A Growing Trend of Chinese Espionage?
The H6 case is the latest in a series of alleged Chinese espionage incidents in the UK. Earlier this year, two men were charged with spying for China, and several politicians, including former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith, have accused Beijing of targeting them with cyberattacks.
Critics are urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government to take a harder stance on China, with some demanding a foreign influence registration scheme to track foreign agents operating in the UK.
While Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stressed the importance of balancing economic ties with national security, others, like Duncan Smith, claim the government’s response has been too lenient. “The reality is simple,” he said. “China is a clear threat, and we must act decisively.”
As the controversy unfolds, the spotlight remains on both Prince Andrew’s alleged connections and the UK’s broader approach to addressing foreign interference.
