A Chinese businessman described as a “close confidante” of Prince Andrew has been stopped from entering the UK, reports Sky News.
The reason is that the man is suspected of being a national security threat, and of being a Chinese spy. Among other things, the man has been invited to the prince’s birthday celebrations in 2020, and has been told that he could help with deals with Chinese investors.
“Has broken all contact”
In a statement from Prince Andrew’s administration on Friday, he is said to have “broken all contact” with the man.
“The Duke met him through official contexts, where nothing of a sensitive nature was ever discussed,” it says. The statement also states that Prince Andrew cannot comment further on matters relating to national security.
Already stopped in 2023
The man, known as H6, was stopped from entering the UK as early as 2023 by then Home Secretary Suella Braverman. He was then suspected of posing a security threat and of having engaged in covert activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party.
The man appealed the decision, and both he and the Chinese embassy in the UK denied the allegations. On Thursday, however, the court upheld the travel ban, citing that Prince Andrew may have become “vulnerable” under his influence.
Among other things, excerpts were heard from a letter the man received in 2020 from Prince Andrew’s advisor, in which he described their relationship.
“You should never underestimate the strength of this relationship… Except for his closest confidants, you sit at the top,” the letter read.