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Alleged Chinese spy with links to Andrew banned from UK Alleged Chinese spy with links to Andrew banned from UK
(about 5 hours later)
A Chinese businessman described as a "close confidant" of the Duke of York has lost an appeal against a decision to bar him from the UK on national security grounds.A Chinese businessman described as a "close confidant" of the Duke of York has lost an appeal against a decision to bar him from the UK on national security grounds.
The man, known only as H6, brought the case after being banned from entering the country in March 2023.The man, known only as H6, brought the case after being banned from entering the country in March 2023.
Judges heard the businessman had formed a close working relationship with Prince Andrew, receiving an invite to his birthday party in 2020 and being told he could act on his behalf when dealing with potential investors in China.Judges heard the businessman had formed a close working relationship with Prince Andrew, receiving an invite to his birthday party in 2020 and being told he could act on his behalf when dealing with potential investors in China.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment, saying only that they do not act for the prince, who is not a working royal.Buckingham Palace declined to comment, saying only that they do not act for the prince, who is not a working royal.
H6 brought his case to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, a court set up to consider appeals against decisions to ban or remove someone from the country on national security or related grounds.H6 brought his case to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, a court set up to consider appeals against decisions to ban or remove someone from the country on national security or related grounds.
In the published ruling, external, the judge said that the then-home secretary, Suella Braverman, was "entitled to conclude that [H6] represented a risk to the national security of the United Kingdom, and that she was entitled to conclude that his exclusion was justified and proportionate".In the published ruling, external, the judge said that the then-home secretary, Suella Braverman, was "entitled to conclude that [H6] represented a risk to the national security of the United Kingdom, and that she was entitled to conclude that his exclusion was justified and proportionate".
The ruling delved into the reasons for Braverman's original decision, as well as communications between H6 and a senior adviser to Prince Andrew.The ruling delved into the reasons for Braverman's original decision, as well as communications between H6 and a senior adviser to Prince Andrew.
The hearing found H6 surrendered a number of electronic devices, including a mobile phone, after being stopped by UK border security in November 2021.The hearing found H6 surrendered a number of electronic devices, including a mobile phone, after being stopped by UK border security in November 2021.
In a letter found on one of his electronic devices, the adviser told him: "Outside of [the prince's] closest internal confidants, you sit at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on."In a letter found on one of his electronic devices, the adviser told him: "Outside of [the prince's] closest internal confidants, you sit at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on."
It adds: "Under your guidance, we found a way to get the relevant people unnoticed in and out of the house in Windsor."It adds: "Under your guidance, we found a way to get the relevant people unnoticed in and out of the house in Windsor."
No further details about who the "relevant people" were are given in the excerpt from the letter included in the ruling.No further details about who the "relevant people" were are given in the excerpt from the letter included in the ruling.
A document listing "main talking points" for a call with Prince Andrew was also found.A document listing "main talking points" for a call with Prince Andrew was also found.
It states: "IMPORTANT: Manage expectations. Really important to not set 'too high' expectations -— he is in a desperate situation and will grab onto anything."It states: "IMPORTANT: Manage expectations. Really important to not set 'too high' expectations -— he is in a desperate situation and will grab onto anything."
In another letter detailed in the ruling, the adviser confirmed to H6 that he could act on behalf of the prince in engagements with potential partners and investors in China.In another letter detailed in the ruling, the adviser confirmed to H6 that he could act on behalf of the prince in engagements with potential partners and investors in China.
The court assessed that this meant H6 was in a position "to generate relationships between senior Chinese officials and prominent UK figures which could be leveraged for political interference purposes by the Chinese State".The court assessed that this meant H6 was in a position "to generate relationships between senior Chinese officials and prominent UK figures which could be leveraged for political interference purposes by the Chinese State".
H6 was subsequently informed that he was believed to be associated with the United Front Work Department (UFWD), an arm of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) tasked with conducting influence operations.H6 was subsequently informed that he was believed to be associated with the United Front Work Department (UFWD), an arm of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) tasked with conducting influence operations.
The ruling said MI5 had expressed concern about the threat posed to the UK by political interference by China and that bodies such as the UFWD were "mounting patient, well-funded, deceptive campaigns to buy and exert influence".The ruling said MI5 had expressed concern about the threat posed to the UK by political interference by China and that bodies such as the UFWD were "mounting patient, well-funded, deceptive campaigns to buy and exert influence".
The Home Office said they believed H6 had been engaged in covert and deceptive activity on behalf of the CCP and that his relationship with Prince Andrew could be used for political interference.The Home Office said they believed H6 had been engaged in covert and deceptive activity on behalf of the CCP and that his relationship with Prince Andrew could be used for political interference.
Upholding Braverman's decision, the judges said H6 had won an "unusual degree of trust from a senior member of the Royal Family who was prepared to enter into business activities with him".Upholding Braverman's decision, the judges said H6 had won an "unusual degree of trust from a senior member of the Royal Family who was prepared to enter into business activities with him".
They added that the relationship had developed at a time when the prince was "under considerable pressure" which "could make him vulnerable to the misuse of that sort of influence".They added that the relationship had developed at a time when the prince was "under considerable pressure" which "could make him vulnerable to the misuse of that sort of influence".
In November 2019, Prince Andrew stepped back from royal duties amid growing public anger about his friendship with the late US financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a statement, the Chinese embassy in the UK criticised "baseless 'spy' stories targeting China".
"Their purpose is to smear China and disrupt normal exchanges between Chinese and British personnel," it said.
China supports "normal people-to-people and cultural exchanges with other countries", it added.
The embassy also urged the UK to "stop creating trouble" and to "stop spreading the so-called 'China threat' theory".
Past questions over Prince Andrew's connections
Prince Andrew had previously been the UK's trade envoy, but gave up the role after 10 years in 2011 after criticism over the company he kept, including the late US financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
He has previously been dogged by questions about his judgement and his finances - an issue that goes back to the loss of his status as a working royal.
In November 2019, Prince Andrew stepped back from royal duties amid growing public anger about his friendship with Epstein.
Questions were subsequently raised about his finances after he reached a settlement - believed to run into the millions - in a civil sexual assault case brought against him by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's accusers. The prince has always denied assaulting Ms Giuffre.Questions were subsequently raised about his finances after he reached a settlement - believed to run into the millions - in a civil sexual assault case brought against him by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's accusers. The prince has always denied assaulting Ms Giuffre.
Last month, a royal biography claimed the prince's brother, King Charles, had cut him off financially, ceasing to pay for security at his home or provide him with a personal allowance. His finances have recently come under scrutiny. King Charles is no longer funding him, and there has been speculation about the running costs of Royal Lodge - the security bill alone is believed to be several million pounds per year.
The big picture of Prince Andrew's finances is full of unknowns, such as how much he might have inherited from his mother or how much private money he might have accumulated in his envoy days.
Concerns over wider Chinese influence in the UK
Former security minister Tom Tugendhat described Prince Andrew's association with the Chinese businessman as "extremely embarrassing", but told the BBC the Chinese state's ambition is "to secure influence over foreign countries at various different points," including the UK.
He said the UFWD was seeking influence in the UK across social, academic, industrial and financial sectors and China has "engaged very often in espionage".
He added that it was possible in this case the goal could have been to secure influence and "inspire somebody to say something, do something or perhaps just host an event where you can be close to somebody you want to pressure".
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