An alleged Chinese spy linked to Prince Andrew has been named as Yang Tengbo after his right to anonymity was revoked by a judge. Yang, previously known as H6, has close ties to the Duke of York and has been photographed with notable politicians including David Cameron and Theresa May. His name was revealed just before the issue was set to be discussed by MPs, who are questioning the UK government's response to foreign influence operations tied to the United Front Work Department of China, with which Yang is reportedly connected.
Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith described the Yang Tengbo case as the "tip of the iceberg" of espionage activities being conducted by China within the UK. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he expressed concerns about the broader implications of the situation, emphasizing China's growing threat. Duncan Smith urged the newly elected Labour government to implement the foreign influence registration scheme first proposed under the Conservatives but left unactivated.
Yang Tengbo was barred from the UK by then-home secretary Suella Braverman after the Home Office assessed he had been involved in "covert and deceptive activity" for the Chinese government. A judgment by judges at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission stated Braverman was justified when she concluded Yang "represented a risk to national security" when he sought to appeal his exclusion.
Evidence revealed during the tribunal indicated Yang was so influential he acted on behalf of Prince Andrew when dealing with potential investors from China. Yang received invitations to significant royal events including Andrew's birthday party, highlighting his connections and informal authority within Andrew's circle.
The correspondence between Yang and Andrew's aide, Dominic Hampshire, was particularly illuminating. A letter recovered from Yang's devices stated, "You should never underestimate the strength of the relationship … Outside of his closest internal confidants, you sit at the very top of a tree…" These words suggest Yang was seen as a major player within Andrew's business dealings, raising red flags for UK authorities.
Yang's close friendship with Andrew became even more controversial amid the Duke's existing scandals related to his associations with Jeffrey Epstein. With Andrew's reputation already tarnished, this espionage link was described by royal experts as potentially the "final nail in the coffin" for the disgraced prince.
Phil Dampier, a royal author and expert, believes this relationship is concerning for UK security services, stating: "Who knows what [a spy] might stumble across? It is a very big scandal." Dampier underlined the historical precedent of Chinese infiltration within British society and expressed concerns for Andrew's future place within the royal family, especially with younger generations taking the reins of the monarchy.
Responding to the situation, Prince Andrew's office asserted he ceased all contact with Yang once concerns were raised. A statement clarified, "The duke met the individual through official channels, with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed".
Yang Tengbo has described the allegations against him as "entirely untrue" and stressed he has done nothing wrong. He stated: "Due to the high level of speculation and misreporting… I have asked my legal team to disclose my identity. I have done nothing wrong or unlawful and the concerns raised by the Home Office against me are ill-founded." He contended the process by which he was barred from the UK was unfair, claiming the use of closed evidence had made it impossible for him to properly defend himself.
The political ramifications of the situation have extended beyond Andrew and Yang. MPs have called for immediate action, emphasizing the need for the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme to address the apparent lack of scrutiny on foreign operatives within the UK. Security Minister Dan Jarvis publicly stated the need to protect national security and enforce the register, which aims to require individuals acting for foreign entities to declare their activities.
The current debate over China’s classification within this scheme adds another layer of complexity. Some ministers were criticized for failing to categorize China under the highest threat level, especially after the revelations about Yang and the failure to act sooner on such pressing security matters.
Yang's encounter with UK authorities included being detained under the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act, where he was required to surrender his communications devices. Investigators uncovered significant evidence connecting him to the United Front Work Department, which is believed to play a key role in Chinese espionage efforts—an assertion Yang denies.
His history includes studying at the University of York before establishing himself within British business networks. Yang has claimed his focus has solely been on encouraging partnerships between the UK and China, contributing what he described as hundreds of millions of pounds of investment to the UK economy throughout his two-decade stay.
These events have inevitably led to intense public scrutiny, not only of Yang but also of the Duke of York and the royal family's contemporary relevance. Andrew's past, marred by allegations of sexual misconduct, complicates his current predicament within the royal institution, making any association with espionage even more damaging to his already fragile reputation.
Political pressure mounts on Labour leadership, as criticisms arise from within their ranks concerning their response to the threat posed by foreign influence, especially following the high-profile case of Yang Tengbo. While the dynamics within British politics approach boiling point, the ramifications for Andrew and the portrayal of the royal family being influenced by espionage allegations are becoming increasingly serious.
Daily updates on this riveting story confirm the stakes continue to rise not just for Prince Andrew but for the broader national atmosphere surrounding security, trust, and foreign influence within the UK.
