Andrew pictured with Chinese spy as Charles meets with MI5 over scare | Royal | News

The King has been briefed by UK intelligence over a grave security breach surrounding Prince Andrew, involving an alleged Chinese operative. Intelligence officials are now probing into how the scandal-plagued Duke could count the deported Chinese entity as his “confidante.”

This alarming development follows after the foreign “agent” identified only as H6, lost an appeal against a March 2023 ban from the country based on national security concerns, despite once being a notable associate of the Prince.

The Duke of York’s image, already stained by his ties with the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, faces further damage from this episode. A Royal insider revealed to The Mirror: “The King has been briefed about this situation regarding the suspected Chinese spy and is very aware of what has been and what is being done about it.”

The murky events have unfolded just days after the alleged Chinese spy had his UK privileges revoked last week amidst serious national security worries, even though he once enjoyed a close rapport with Prince Andrew.

Courts have been made aware that H6 fostered a particularly intimate professional relationship with Prince Andrew, which even led to an invitation to the royal’s birthday event in 2020 and undertakings to represent him socially. Nonetheless, revelations have surfaced suggesting MI5 harbours deep concerns that the Prince’s Chinese contact might have played the role of a “gateway” agent, looking to infiltrate Andrew’s privileged network.

Following urgent advice from intelligence officials, the King’s top advisors swiftly convened with the monarch to address this alarming situation. Authorities have warned of the risk in creating a “gateway” for Chinese espionage through Prince Andrew’s networks, particularly due to his infamous ties with the scandal-tainted financier Jeffrey Epstein, positioning him as an easy mark for foreign spies.

MI5’s counter-espionage unit is now painstakingly assessing the extent of potential infiltration by an individual believed to be connected to the United Front Work Department (UFWD), a branch of the Chinese Communist Party renowned for its ‘influence operations’. A security insider disclosed to The Mirror: “The access this person would have had could have produced what China would view as a goldmine of information. Intelligence reporting on the Prince himself would have been of interest, perhaps producing telephone numbers, addresses, dates of forthcoming events and facts regarding his business and financial vulnerabilities.”

However, a key aspect would be access to influential connections. In specific situations, the Prince and his associates may have lowered their guard, providing valuable access to powerful individuals.

Consequently, high-value political and commercial targets may have been identified and noted for future operations over time. Additionally, this individual may have been able to physically introduce more people into the network, bringing in more intelligence officers for serious espionage.

H6’s appeal against exclusion from the UK was taken up by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC), a forum designed to handle appeals on national security or similar grounds. Yet the judge agreed with the former Home Secretary, Suella Braverman’s assessment that “H6 posed a risk to UK national security and that she was entitled to conclude that his exclusion was justified and proportionate.”

At SIAC’s proceedings, evidence was brought forward that H6 gave up several electronic devices, including a mobile phone, upon being detained by UK border security in November 2021.

“On one of his electronic devices, a letter said: “Outside of closest internal confidants, you sit at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on. ” It adds: “Under your guidance, we found a way to get the relevant people unnoticed in and out of the house in Windsor.

A document outlining “main talking points” for a conversation with Prince Andrew was also found. It reads: “IMPORTANT: Manage expectations. Really important to not set ‘too high’ expectations – he is in a desperate situation and will grab onto anything.”

The letters imply that Chinese intelligence, who were managing the suspected spy, timed their approach to Prince Andrew to take advantage of his vulnerability following the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

In March 2020, the Duke was compelled to step down from all public roles due to his connections with Epstein, who died in prison, and socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently incarcerated. In 2022, Prince Andrew paid £12million in a financial settlement to accuser Virginia Giuffre, who alleged he had sex with her, to avoid appearing in a US court.

She claimed he sexually assaulted her when she was 17, having been trafficked by Epstein, and they appeared to have been photographed together. He has consistently strongly refuted the allegations.

A Royal insider has revealed that the King is “truly exasperated by the ongoing situation with his brother”.

Since ascending to the throne, Charles has severed financial support and removed Prince Andrew’s £3million annual security arrangement.

Amidst Andrew’s mounting financial troubles, the King is said to be coaxing him to abandon his luxurious 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor in favour of the more modest four-bedroom Frogmore Cottage, previously occupied by Harry and Meghan.

Despite earlier indications of Andrew’s resistance due to a “cast iron lease” with the Crown Estate out of the King’s reach, recent legal documents have illuminated another issue. A letter from an adviser, unveiled in this week’s court ruling, acknowledged H6’s involvement in linking Prince Andrew with prospective Chinese partners and investors—the courts saw this as potential for H6 to facilitate connections between high-level Chinese officials and UK notables for possible use by the Chinese State for political intrusion.

The Home Office has raised alarms about H6’s suspected affiliations with the China Communist Party and the threat of using Prince Andrew’s relationship for interference. Judges endorsing Braverman’s decision remarked on H6 gaining an “unusual degree of trust from a senior member of the Royal Family who was prepared to enter into business activities with him.”

They further commented that this bond was formed during a time when the prince was under significant pressure, potentially making him vulnerable to the misuse of such influence. The Duke of York “ceased all contact” with the businessman accused of being a Chinese spy after receiving advice from the Government, his office has stated.

The statement reads: “The Duke of York followed advice from HMG and ceased all contact with the individual after concerns were raised. The duke met the individual through official channels, with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed. He is unable to comment further on matters relating to national security.”

Andrew photographed with the spy

A photograph has surfaced showing Prince Andrew in a meeting with an alleged Chinese spy who is now prohibited from entering the UK. The Duke of York, 64, was pictured with the spy, a former civil servant known only as H6, at an undisclosed event, with the picture blurring out the figure’s face due to an anonymity order.

However, their appearance together has sparked questions, as H6 has been banned on national security grounds.