A Chinese businessman with close ties to Prince Andrew has denied allegations of espionage after being named by British authorities as a suspected Chinese agent.
Yang Tengbo, previously granted anonymity, waived his right on Monday to publicly respond to the accusations.
The Allegations
Yang, 50, has been accused by Britain’s home office of working for the United Front Work Department (UFWD), an arm of China’s Communist Party that reportedly builds ties with influential individuals worldwide. Authorities allege Yang engaged in “covert and deceptive activity” on behalf of the UFWD and posed a national security threat.
Judges sided with M15, Britain’s domestic intelligence, saying that Yang “represented a risk to national security” and dismissed his appeal.
The SIAC disclosed that in 2021, authorities discovered documents highlighting Yang’s close relationship with Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III.
In February 2023, Yang was removed from a flight from Beijing to London and subsequently banned from entering the UK. The Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) upheld the ban last Thursday, bringing his links to Prince Andrew into public view for the first time.
‘H6’
The Chinese national, referred as “H6” in British espionage and media circles. H6 is believed to be among more than 40,000 operatives linked to the department operating across the globe.
Yang’s denial
Responding to the allegations, Yang insisted he was innocent: “I have done nothing wrong or unlawful, and the concerns raised by the home office against me are ill-founded. The widespread description of me as a ‘spy’ is entirely untrue.”
His lawyer, Guy Vassall-Adams, sidelined the claims and confirmed Yang waived his anonymity to defend his reputation.
Prince Andrew’s role
SIAC’s ruling revealed that evidence from Yang’s phone showed Prince Andrew had authorised him to establish an “international financial initiative” to engage with Chinese investors. However, the ruling provided no details about the purpose of the fund.
On Friday, Prince Andrew said he had “ceased all contact” with Yang once concerns about the businessman were brought to his attention. Requests for further comment from the Prince’s office remain unanswered.
China responds
China’s foreign ministry dismissed the accusations, calling them groundless. A spokesperson said, “China has lways been open and above board and has never engaged in deception or interference. Such speculation is not worth refuting.”
