LONDON, Dec 15: The controversy regarding an alleged Chinese spy who infiltrated Buckingham Palace as a supposed “close confidant” of Prince Andrew, King Charles III’s younger brother, escalated on Sunday with revelations that he had also met with former prime ministers David Cameron and Theresa May.
While both Cameron and May have distanced themselves from any awareness of his espionage connections, the issue surrounding the businessman, referred to as “H6” for legal reasons, remains a prominent topic of discussion following a tribunal judge’s remark on the “unusual” trust he held from the senior royal.
Previously, Andrew, the Duke of York, stated that he had “ceased all contact” with the alleged spy.
“David Cameron led the Conservative Party for over a decade and served as PM for six years. He encountered thousands of individuals during his tenure at numerous functions and events. We currently lack any further information about this person,” a source close to Cameron, now Lord Cameron, shared with ‘Sky News’.
Meanwhile, a representative for Theresa May mentioned, “as such, she does not recall when or where this particular photograph was taken or the individual in question”.
These developments follow the discovery that H6 had been barred from entering the UK due to national security concerns. A Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) heard in July that the individual attended Prince Andrew’s birthday gathering in 2020 and was informed by a royal aide that he could represent the Duke while interacting with potential investors in China.
According to SIAC case notes, H6 was first prohibited from entering the UK in 2023 due to national security worries raised by Suella Braverman, who was the Home Secretary at the time. In July of the previous year, the Home Office reported that H6 was believed to have engaged in “covert and deceptive actions” on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party. H6 has denied these allegations and has contested the decision in the SIAC, which ruled against him on Thursday.
In a statement, the office of Prince Andrew clarified that the Duke had met the individual “through official channels” and emphasized that “nothing of a sensitive nature was ever discussed”.
The Chinese Embassy in the UK has refuted the espionage claims, asserting that “certain individuals in the UK are always keen to concoct baseless ‘spy’ tales aimed at China”.
“Their intent is to tarnish China’s reputation and disrupt normal interactions between Chinese and British personnel,” a spokesperson commented.
In response, former Tory Cabinet member Gillian Keegan remarked on Sunday that the UK should “always remain vigilant,” expressing surprise that people were not already aware of China’s activities given that security guidance for those visiting China has been provided for 30 years.
“They represent the largest strategic threat we face. They are a significantly greater strategic threat than Russia,” she stated.
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper articulated the Labour government’s position as one that ensures the country’s security and intelligence agencies remain “constantly vigilant against any threats to UK national security”. (PTI)
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