Who is Yang Tengbo? The alleged Chinese spy linked to Prince Andrew
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The individual accused of being a Chinese spy involved in the recent controversy surrounding Prince Andrew has been identified as Yang Tengbo.
In 2023, a 50-year-old businessman was prohibited from entering the UK as officials believed he could potentially endanger national security.
Mr. Yang was publicly identified after a period of intense pressure from Members of Parliament who insisted that he be named, despite a court ruling intended to keep his identity confidential.
He has now stated that he has done "nothing inappropriate" and dismissed the claims of being a spy as "completely false."
In this section, The Independent explores Mr. Yang's background and the claims associated with him and the Royal Family.
Mr. Yang, who was born in 1974, attended university in China and spent several years working as a junior government employee, as noted in the ruling.
In 2002, he relocated to the UK to pursue a master's degree in public administration and public policy at the University of York.
Three years later, Mr. Yang started a consulting firm focused on Chinese investments, which would later organize several prominent events related to China.
What Are The Accusations Against Him?
In 2021, Mr. Yang was arrested under the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act, which required him to hand over his phone and computer.
The Home Office claimed that evidence was discovered indicating he was employed by the United Front Work Department (UFWD), a clandestine division of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
As a result, the former home secretary, Suella Braverman, prohibited him from entering the UK. However, Mr. Yang subsequently contested this decision by appealing to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.
How Is He Connected To Prince Andrew?
On Thursday, the Special Immigration Appeals Commission rejected Mr. Yang's appeal, bringing his case into the public eye.
The ruling referenced information from the Home Office that claimed Mr. Yang was a trusted associate of Prince Andrew and had the ability to represent him in dealings with investors in China.
Subsequent reports indicated that he leveraged this relationship to obtain invitations to Buckingham Palace and other royal locations.
He also had the opportunity to meet David Cameron during a reception at Downing Street and encountered Theresa May at a formal black-tie gathering. He has photos from both meetings, which occurred over the past 15 years, as reported by The Sunday Times.
In 2005, Mr. Yang started a consultancy firm focused on investments in China, which later organized several prominent events connected to the country.
Mr. Yang's Response To The Allegations
Mr. Yang stated that he has “not engaged in any wrongdoing or illegal activities” and that the “common portrayal of me as a ‘spy’ is completely false.”
He stated, “Because of the significant amount of speculation and inaccurate reporting in the media and beyond, I have requested that my legal team reveal my identity. I have not engaged in any wrongdoing or illegal activities, and the issues brought up by the Home Office against me are unfounded. The common portrayal of me as a ‘spy’ is completely false.”
This is the reason I requested a review of the Home Office's decision initially, and it's also why I'm asking for permission to challenge the SIAC ruling. Additionally, this is why I was granted an order to keep my identity confidential until the appeal process is concluded.
"I have not been allowed to view much of the evidence that was used against me in a process that many experts at SIAC agree is fundamentally unjust. Decisions are made based on undisclosed evidence and closed hearings, which has been likened to trying to hit an unseen target without any visibility."
In their own investigation, even the three judges involved in this case found that there wasn't a lot of evidence against me. They noted that their decision was very close and considered the possibility that there could be an innocent reason for my actions. However, this hasn't been covered in the news.
The political atmosphere has shifted, and sadly, I've been caught in the middle of it. When things are positive and there's a desire for Chinese investment, I'm embraced in the UK. But when tensions rise, a negative attitude towards China emerges, and I find myself sidelined.
I am a self-reliant entrepreneur who has worked hard to create connections and partnerships between Eastern and Western cultures. Throughout my career in the UK, I've focused on strengthening the relationship between British and Chinese companies. My efforts have contributed to securing hundreds of millions of pounds in investments for the UK.
"I have spent twenty years establishing my personal life in the UK, and I truly see it as my second home. I would never take any action that could jeopardize the UK's interests."
