A suspected Chinese spy with business ties to Prince Andrew has been barred from the U.K. due to concerns about national security. The decision was upheld by a British immigration tribunal, which revealed that the Chinese national had developed a close relationship with Prince Andrew, even being invited to the prince's birthday party.
Government officials expressed worries that the individual could have misused his influence, especially considering the pressure Prince Andrew was under at the time. The Chinese national is believed to have been working on behalf of the United Front Work Department, an arm of the Chinese Communist Party used for foreign influence.
British authorities determined that the businessman had the potential to create relationships between senior Chinese officials and prominent U.K. figures, which could be exploited for political interference by the Chinese State.
Concerns Over Prince Andrew's Connections
Prince Andrew has faced criticism for his associations with wealthy foreigners, leading to concerns that these individuals may be attempting to gain access to the royal family. His financial situation has been strained following his withdrawal from royal duties and public funding due to concerns about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Growing Concerns About Chinese Influence
British intelligence agencies have been increasingly alarmed by China's efforts to influence U.K. government policy. In recent years, MI5 warned politicians about a British-Chinese lawyer attempting to improperly influence members of Parliament, while a parliamentary researcher was arrested on suspicion of providing sensitive information to China.
Background of the Chinese National
The 50-year-old Chinese national in question worked as a junior civil servant in China before coming to the U.K. as a student in 2002. He obtained a master's degree from the University of York and later started a business advising U.K.-based companies on their operations in China.
Although he was granted the right to live and work in the U.K. indefinitely in 2013, he did not make it his permanent home. However, he spent a significant amount of time in the country each month and considered it his 'second home.'
Incident at the U.K. Border
The Chinese national was stopped upon entering the U.K. in November 2021 and was required to surrender his mobile phone and other digital devices. Authorities discovered a letter from a senior adviser to Prince Andrew authorizing the individual to act on behalf of the prince in dealings with potential partners and investors in China.
The letter emphasized the strong relationship between Prince Andrew, his adviser, and the Chinese national, highlighting their ability to navigate around certain individuals within the prince's circle.
Prince Andrew resides at the Royal Lodge, a historic country estate near Windsor Castle in the U.K.
