The Duke of York speaks during a Pitch@Palace event, an initiative launched in 2014 (Image: PA)
Prince Andrew is facing mounting scrutiny in the face of allegations that his “Pitch@Palace” business ventures received funds from Chinese donors linked to an accused Communist Party spy – with MI5 now reportedly probing the claims.
The alleged secret agent, known as H6, has been banned from the UK on national security grounds and is described in court documents as a “close confidant” of the Duke of York.
A former junior civil servant in China, H6 is accused of working for the United Front Work Department (UFWD), an arm of the Chinese state that gathers intelligence, recruits agents, and buys influence abroad.
Whitehall insiders claim the UFWD has used financial inducements to build connections in the West, with one source calling its activities as “deceptive” and “much more than just gathering sensitive information”.
MI5, Britain’s security service, is investigating money reportedly connected to H6 and received by the Duke’s business ventures, the Telegraph has claimed.
READ MORE: Andrew pictured with Chinese spy as King Charles meets with MI5 over major scare
Xi Jinping and the Duke of York during the Chinese President’s 2015 State Visit to the UK (Image: PA)
Buckingham Palace, which has no authority to oversee the Duke’s finances, is only able to seek assurances that funds are “legitimately earned”.
According to the Daily Telegraph, H6 played a role in Pitch@Palace, which Andrew launched in the UK in 2014 as a not-for-profit enterprise.
The initiative expanded to China in 2016, where it operated for profit. H6 was allegedly connected to the Chinese operations, attending events at Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace, and Windsor Castle.
Court documents suggest H6 was so trusted he could act on Andrew’s behalf with potential Chinese investors and even attended the Duke’s birthday party in 2020.
Britain’s Prince Andrew, Duke of York during a trip to China in 2008 (Image: Getty Images)
Royal sources claimed King Charles told of MI5’s investigation into H6 before court rulings exposed the relationship. The latest scandal is thought to have influenced the King’s earlier decision to cut off Andrew’s financial support. A palace source has confirmed Prince Andrew is “no longer privately supported by the King”, the Telegraph reports.
The Duke denies wrongdoing, insisting he severed all ties with H6 after government advice. A statement issued by his office last night said: “The Duke of York followed advice from HMG [Her Majesty’s Government] 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.”
The case highlights longstanding concerns over the Duke’s finances, particularly the high costs of maintaining Royal Lodge and paying for private security, estimated to run into millions of pounds annually. Andrew’s financial arrangements have faced intense scrutiny, including past links to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in jail in 2019.
H6, who denies being a spy or agent of the Chinese Communist Party, was banned from the UK in July 2023 after MI5 concluded he had engaged in “covert and deceptive activity” on behalf of Beijing.
China’s president Xi Jinping sits alongside the Duke of York at a banquet at the Guildhall in London (Image: PA)
Two judges from the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) ruled on Thursday that the Home Office was justified in barring him from the country.
H6 is contesting the decision and has been granted temporary anonymity while the High Court considers whether his identity should be made public.
Senior politicians, including Suella Braverman, the former Home Secretary, have called for H6 to be named. Suella Braverman said: “Disclosing the identity of this person will have a deterrent effect on others taking part in similar activities and ensure transparency on this issue of utmost national security importance.”
Tom Tugendhat, the former security minister, described Andrew’s involvement with H6 as “extremely embarrassing” and evidence of how China seeks to influence the UK. He said: “The United Front Work Department is a branch of the Communist Party seeking influence across the UK – social, academic, financial, and industrial.”
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has called for H6 to be named (Image: Getty)
Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in London dismissed the allegations as baseless, accusing the UK of fabricating spy stories to smear China.
A spokesman said: “This again is a typical case of the thief crying ‘catch thief.’ Their purpose is to smear China and sabotage normal exchanges between China and the UK. We strongly condemn this.”
Critics argue the scandal underscores broader risks of foreign influence campaigns targeting British institutions and highlights the need for greater transparency around the finances of senior royals.
Express.co.uk has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.
