He United Kingdom has prohibited the entry into the country of a chinese businessmanclosely linked to Prince Andrew, for alleged espionage. The man, known only as H6, managed to gain the trust of the king’s brother and his main advisors, to the point of being invited to the prince’s birthday party in 2020 and even having authorization to negotiate on his behalf with investors. Chinese. A relationship that “could be exploited with purposes of political interference” and pose a threat to national security, according to British authorities.
The judges of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission have concluded that the ban on the entry of H6 into the United Kingdom – ruled in March 2023 by the then Home Secretary, Suella Braverman– is justified and they have consequently rejected the appeal presented by their defense.
“The plaintiff earned a significant degree, one could say that a unusual degree of confidence of a senior member of the royal family who was willing to enter into commercial activities with him,” said the judges, who noted that the “pressures” on Andrés, separated from the royal family after his links to the pedophile Jeffrey Epstein were revealed, , “could make you vulnerable to the misuse of those types of influences.”
Privileged position
The alleged spy was initially detained at border control at a London airport in 2021. In one of the messages found in the seized electronic devicesone of Andrés’ main advisors, Dominic Hampshirereminds H6 of his privileged position within the king’s brother’s inner circle.
“I hope you are clear about his position with my superior and, indeed, with his family. You should never underestimate the strength of that relationship… Beyond his closest internal confidants, you sit in the top of a tree where many, many people would like to be,” says Hampshire.
The judges consider that the Chinese businessman had hidden your links with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Something that was uncovered by MI5, the British intelligence service, which maintains that H6 was a member of the party and worked for the United Front Work Department, which gathers intelligence information for the Chinese authorities. According to British Home Office lawyers, the alleged spy “did not provide a complete account and open about her relationship with the prince, which had a covert and clandestine element.”
Possible interference
The defense of H6, who until now had an indefinite residence permit in the United Kingdom, points out that for a Chinese businessman it is difficult to avoid any contact with the CCP and that the messages found on his electronic devices must be interpreted within the framework of the relationship of loyalty that he had maintained with Andrés in times of difficulty for him. Some arguments that have not convinced the judges, who consider that the decision taken by the Ministry of the Interior last year will help neutralize the risk from external interference. “Although the exclusion of the plaintiff will not necessarily stop his activities, it will significantly hinder them,” the three judges have noted in their brief.
Relationship of two decades
The relationships of prince andrew with China date back to 2001, when he was appointed UK trade envoy by the then Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Since then the prince has maintained close contact with Chinese authorities and businessmen in the United Kingdom and has also made numerous trips to China.
According to the British press, Andrés’ ex-wife, Sarah Fergusonhas received hundreds of thousands of euros of companies based in Hong Kong, most of them linked to billionaire Johnny Hon. Businesses that have put the spotlight on the possible use of the prince’s privileged position to satisfy his personal interests.
