It’s one more story that the crown would have done well without: in the United Kingdom, Prince Andrew is once again in embarrassment because of his links with a suspected Chinese spy. A case in the wake of other attempts at influence within the upper echelons.
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The Duke of York will not spend Christmas with the rest of the royal family. Prince Andrew was suspended from his royal duties in 2019, following an accusation ofsexual assault of a minorbut he still spent Christmas with his family.
This time, it is his proximity to a businessman suspected of operating for the Beijing regime that does not pass, reports our correspondent in London, Sidonie Gaucher.
While traveling in Norway, Prime Minister Keir Starmer was questioned about this affair, concerning suspicions of espionage targeting a Chinese businessman linked to Prince Andrew. “ Of course we are concerned about the challenges posed by China “, replied the Labor leader, recalling having met Chinese President Xi Jinping in November on the sidelines of the G20 in Rio de Janeiro, a first in six years.
A Chinese investor who allegedly met former prime ministers
The one suspected of operating for the Beijing regime is called Yang Tengbo, a businessman. He is a 50-year-old Chinese national who declares himself innocent of having “ negotiated on Andrew’s behalf with Chinese investors ”, as revealed The Guardian.
The investor and supposed spy also reportedly met former Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May, which does not fail to worry the political class about attempts at influence on the part of Beijing.
For The Daily Telegram, this episode is a “ alarm signal » facing the “ threat » posed by Beijing, at a time when the new Labor government is once again open to cooperation.
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