UK tribunal bans alleged Chinese spy linked to Prince Andrew

A tribunal in the UK confirmed the government's decision to prohibit a Chinese businessman, known as “H6,” from entering the country due to concerns over national security.

On Thursday, judges determined that H6 posed a risk and dismissed his appeal against a prior ruling excluding him from the UK. Reports indicate that H6 had become a close associate of Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, even visiting royal residences such as Buckingham Palace. He has also allegedly met with two former UK prime ministers on several occasions.

Following the ruling, a statement from Andrew’s office indicated that the duke has "ceased all contact" with H6, clarifying that their meetings were conducted through official channels and did not involve discussions of a "sensitive nature."

However, some members of parliament have expressed concerns that H6 may have already influenced the duke or other high-ranking officials and are urging the government to take strong action against China.

The Chinese embassy in the UK has rejected the allegations, attributing them to "individuals in the UK who are always eager to fabricate baseless 'spy' stories targeting China."

Who is H6, the alleged Chinese spy?

H6, a 50-year-old former junior civil servant in China, arrived in the UK in 2022 as a student. According to court records, he obtained a master’s degree in public administration and public policy from the University of York before establishing a consulting firm, B Ltd, which advises UK companies on operations in China. He was granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK in 2013 but continues to split his time between the two countries.

His first encounter with UK authorities occurred on Nov. 6, 2021, when he was stopped and searched upon entry. Officials seized his devices for analysis and retained data after returning them four days later.

In February 2023, H6 was removed from a flight from Beijing to London and informed that he was facing a ban from entering the UK based on an investigation by British intelligence.

In March 2023, the office of then-Home Secretary Suella Braverman officially barred H6, citing his involvement in “covert and deceptive activity” linked to China’s United Front Work Department, a division of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) focused on foreign intelligence.

What did a UK tribunal rule about H6?

H6 appealed the decision to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) in April 2023, arguing that the ruling was unlawful and seeking a review. During hearings, he claimed he was not politically active and had limited ties to the Chinese government. His legal representative maintained that H6 had never been a member of the CCP or acted on its behalf.

However, the tribunal upheld the Home Office's decision, reiterating that H6 presented a national security threat. The ruling stated that he "was in a position to generate relationships between senior Chinese officials and prominent UK figures which could be leveraged for political interference purposes by the Chinese State." The court granted H6 anonymity.

Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, indicated that he expects MPs to attempt to reveal the identity of the alleged spy in parliament, as parliamentary privilege protects such disclosures from legal repercussions.

How is H6 connected to Prince Andrew?

According to reports, Andrew and H6 met in 2012 and developed a close relationship, leading to H6 being invited to Buckingham Palace twice. He also visited St. James’s Palace and Windsor Castle and attended a small birthday celebration for Andrew in 2020.

The court's ruling noted that H6 had gained "an unusual degree of trust from a senior member of the Royal Family." A letter discovered on H6’s devices during the initial search revealed that Dominic Hampshire, a senior adviser to Andrew, had confirmed that he was authorized to act on the duke's behalf regarding potential partners and investors in China. Hampshire stated that he had “bypassed” former private secretaries to Andrew, whom he considered untrustworthy.

In the letter, dated around 2020, Hampshire wrote: “I also hope that it is clear to you where you sit with my principal and indeed his family. … You should never underestimate the strength of that relationship. Outside of his closest internal confidants, you sit at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on.”

The suspect operated under the assumption that Andrew, facing multiple controversies and financial difficulties, was in a "desperate situation" and likely to accept any assistance.

Andrew was forced to step back from royal duties and renounce public funding due to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison in 2019. In 2022, Andrew settled allegations of sexual assault out of court.

What could happen next?

Conservative politicians are urging the UK’s Labour government to respond decisively to the situation with China amid these recent developments. They are advocating for H6 to be publicly named and for a thorough investigation into Andrew's connections.

Duncan Smith criticized the government as “weak,” claiming it is reluctant to criticize China and is pushing for the implementation of a foreign influence registration scheme. This scheme would require individuals to disclose their arrangements, activities, and the timeline of those arrangements.

Although the scheme was expected to launch in 2024, the recent change of government has delayed its implementation to an unspecified future date.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the situation as “complex.” She noted that China is the UK’s fifth-largest trading partner, with trade ranging from cars to computers.

Cooper stated, “The UK will continue to take a very strong approach to our national security,” while also emphasizing the need for ongoing economic cooperation with China.