The United Kingdom’s national security court has ruled to uphold a ban on re-entry for a businessman identified only as H6. The individual, described as a trusted associate of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, had appealed against this decision made by then-Home Secretary Suella Braverman. In the judgment, it was revealed that H6 represented a potential risk to national security, allegedly serving as a spy on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
H6, believed to be associated with China’s United Front Work Department, had reportedly developed a close relationship with Prince Andrew, a younger brother of King Charles III. Reports indicate that H6 was invited to the prince’s 2020 birthday celebration and authorized to speak on his behalf to investors in China.
The Special Immigration Appeals Commission upheld Braverman’s decision against H6, concerned about possible influence operations by the Chinese Communists.
The ruling revealed that several electronic devices were seized when H6 was stopped and questioned under hostile activity powers in November 2021. Materials found on these devices led to increased concerns about potential political interference. A letter on one device described H6 as near the top of a list of individuals with privileged access to Prince Andrew and indicated he could facilitate meetings with potential Chinese investors.
The Chinese embassy in the United Kingdom criticized the accusations as baseless, stating they are intended to damage China-UK relations, and urged cessation of what it termed the “China threat” narrative.
The United States has also seen a spike in concerns regarding Chinese espionage due to the Biden-Harris government’s lax stance against the communist state. The National Pulse reported in September that analysis shows little resistance to Chinese agents targeting anti-CCP dissidents in cities like New York and San Francisco.