Prince Andrew ‘invited alleged Chinese spy to Buckingham Palace’

According to reports, the Duke of York extended invitations to a businessman alleged to be a Chinese spy to visit Buckingham Palace and other royal residences.

The individual, who was prohibited from entering the UK due to national security concerns, made two visits to Buckingham Palace. He also gained entry to St James’s Palace and Windsor Castle after receiving an invitation from Andrew, according to a report by the Times.

On Friday, the duke mentioned that he had stopped all interactions with the businessman as soon as concerns about him were brought to light. In a statement from his office, it was noted that Andrew met this person through “official channels” and clarified that they never talked about anything sensitive.

In March of last year, a businessman identified only as H6 filed a case with the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac). This followed a decision by the then-home secretary, Suella Braverman, stating that he should be barred from entering the UK.

Judges were informed that during a meeting with the home secretary in July 2023, officials stated that H6 had the ability to establish connections between notable individuals in the UK and high-ranking Chinese officials, connections that could potentially be used for influencing political matters.

Rana Mitter, the ST Lee professor of US-Asia relations at Harvard Kennedy School and a specialist in Chinese politics, shared with BBC Radio 4's Today program that a component of China's espionage approach involves identifying individuals who could become "influential over time" but are currently "in a bit of a slump."

He stated that the matter concerning the Duke of York and H6 isn't primarily about espionage in terms of uncovering secrets, but rather about attempting to sway opinions.

"Familiarizing ourselves with the influential figures in nations such as Britain can be beneficial, not just for current understanding, but also for building lasting connections within society. It appears that this is what has been happening here," Mitter stated.

One common occurrence is keeping an eye on individuals who have the potential to become influential in the future, even if they’re currently facing some challenges or going through a rough patch.

A notable example from a previous generation is President Richard Nixon. After stepping down in shame due to the Watergate scandal, he received numerous invitations to visit China.

Multiple newspapers have stated that the king has been informed about his brother's connections to the suspected spy.

The news follows reports that the royal family made additional efforts during the summer to separate themselves from the controversial duke. It is said that the king has cut off his £1 million yearly "living allowance" and the private security that Charles had been covering for Andrew’s residence.

Andrew Lownie, currently working on a biography of the duke and Sarah, Duchess of York, mentioned that the recent developments concerning the king’s younger brother will have implications for the entire family and the "future of the monarchy." He also emphasized the need for more openness regarding the royal family's financial matters.

He stated, "The true controversies involving him are primarily financial rather than sexual."

Since he is unable to manage his own actions and recognize the limits of ethics, it’s necessary to closely examine his financial dealings and establish a public record of royal interests.

Based on the comments left online in response to newspaper articles, this incident poses serious harm to the entire royal family. There is now a call for greater transparency regarding their financial matters and business dealings.

Prominent members of the Conservative Party, including Braverman, have urged for H6 to be publicly identified. They believe this would discourage others from engaging in similar actions.

While in Italy on Saturday, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized, “Our security and intelligence organizations are always alert to any potential threats to the national security of the UK. This includes concerns related to foreign influence, espionage, and various security risks.”

"We won't shy away from taking steps to address any challenge that comes our way."

When asked if H6's anonymity should be removed, she responded, "We always honor the courts' decisions and refrain from discussing specific cases."

We have reached out to Buckingham Palace and the Duke of York’s office for their response.