Prince Andrew issues statement on ban on suspected Chinese spies entering UK | uk news

Prince Andrew said he had “ceased all contact” with a businessman accused of being a Chinese spy after the government raised concerns.

In a statement from his office, the Duke of York said he had broken off the relationship on the 'advice' of officials, but insisted the pair had never discussed anything of a 'sensitive nature'.

This marks the 64-year-old royal's first public comments since it was revealed on Thursday that his 'close associates' had been banned from entering the UK due to national security risks.

Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

1:43 Prince Andrew and China: What's happening?

“The Duke of York has followed HMG’s advice and ceased all contact with the individual after concerns were raised,” the statement said.

“The Duke met the person through official channels and there were no discussions of a sensitive nature. He cannot comment further on matters relating to national security.”

The man, known as H6, was invited to the royal's birthday party in 2020 and was told by Andrew's close associate Dominic Hampshire that he could act on the duke's behalf when dealing with potential investors in China at an expert tribunal in July this year. They say they heard it.

H6 was initially excluded from entry in 2023 by then-home secretary Suella Braverman over national security concerns.

Image: Prince Andrew linked to businessman accused of 'secret and deceptive activities' File photo: AP

Aide ‘secret and deceptive’

In July of that year, the Home Office said H6 was considered to have engaged in 'covert and deceptive activities' on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party.

H6 appealed to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC), claiming this was illegal. The Chinese Embassy in the UK also denied the allegations.

Judges on Thursday upheld H6's ban on the Duke of York, arguing his influence had left him “vulnerable”.

Read more on Sky News: British economy in shocking decline Woman arrested after Buckingham Palace party Arrested after fairground ride crash

Prince Andrew 'desperate situation'

With their decision, SIAC said in a letter sent by Mr Hampshire to H6: [Andrew’s] “You, my closest inner friend, sit atop a tree that countless people would love to climb on.”

SIAC also cited a 2021 document recovered from H6's device that said the prince was “in a desperate situation and would grab anything.”

Andrew was a traveling UK Trade Ambassador from 2001 to 2011.

He was forced to step down from public duties in 2019 due to his friendship with the American financier and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, who took his own life in prison.

Andrew has always denied all accusations of wrongdoing. In 2022, the British monarchy removed his military links and royal patronage.

Responding to the ban, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the UK said some people in the UK were “very keen” on creating “all kinds of spy stories about China”.

“Their aim is to defame China and disrupt normal people-to-people exchanges between China and the UK. We strongly condemn this.”

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos