The Duke of York says he has cut all contact with a person alleged to be a Chinese spy.
The businessman is said to have been a ”close confidant” of Prince Andrew. Their links came to light after the man lost an appeal over being barred from entering the UK.
The man, known in court documents as H6, was banned from the country by former Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, who considered him a risk to national security. He appealed that decision. A special immigration appeals commission has, however, now upheld it.
There were concerns that H6 was attempting to facilitate a relationship with Prince Andrew, and others, that could be ”leveraged for political interference purposes.”
The Duke of York has now said that he has ended all contact with the man.
In a statement, Prince Andrew said that he had followed government advice and ”ceased all contact with the individual after concerns were raised.”
The statement continued ”the Duke met the individual through official channels, with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed. He is unable comment further on matters relating to national security.”
The court heard that the businessman had been invited to the Duke of York’s birthday part in 2020 and had been given permission to act on Prince Andrew’s behalf when dealing with possible investors in China.
Buckingham Palace has said it won’t comment as the Duke of York is no longer a working member of the Royal Family.
Prince Andrew’s role as a working royal ended in 2019 after allegations about his friendship with convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. The prince would later reach an out of court settlement with Virginia Giuffre who claimed he sexually assaulted her – allegations he has always denied.
The latest case has once more raised questions about the Duke of York’s finances. He lives at Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate, leasing it from the Crown Estate. He is responsible for its upkeep and for security. Earlier in 2024, The King cut all personal funding to his brother.
