Prince Andrew has stated that he “ceased all contact” with a businessman accused of being a Chinese spy, following advice from the UK government. In a statement, his office clarified that the prince had met the individual, known only as H6, through “official channels,” and that no sensitive matters were ever discussed.
H6, described in court as a “close confidant” of Prince Andrew, had been banned from the UK after a ruling by the country’s semi-secret national security court. The court found that the businessman had developed an “unusual degree of trust” with the duke, raising concerns about the potential leverage he could exert using the prince’s influence.
In 2023, H6’s appeal against the ban was rejected. The court heard that H6 had attempted to use his connections with the prince to establish relationships with senior Chinese officials and prominent UK figures. The relationship was described as potentially part of an effort by the Chinese state to influence political affairs.
The ruling also revealed that H6 had been invited to Prince Andrew’s 2020 birthday party and had been told he could represent the duke in dealings with Chinese investors. During a 2021 border stop, H6 was questioned by police and had several electronic devices seized, which later led to MI5 raising concerns over the content, prompting the government to impose the ban.
Prince Andrew’s office did not specify when contact with H6 had ended or the duration of their relationship, but emphasized that the prince had acted on government advice. Buckingham Palace declined to comment, as Prince Andrew is no longer a working royal.
China’s embassy in the UK has denied the espionage claims, accusing some in the UK of fabricating “baseless spy stories” to tarnish China’s reputation. The UK’s Home Office, however, believes that H6 was involved in covert activities for the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front Work Department, which is tasked with influence operations.
The court documents also showed that H6 had been in a position to act on behalf of Prince Andrew in potential business dealings, raising concerns about political interference by China. The ruling emphasized that the trust between the prince and H6 was concerning, particularly given Andrew’s vulnerable position following the scrutiny over his ties to financier Jeffrey Epstein.
As the investigation continues, questions remain about Prince Andrew’s judgment and his financial dealings, which have been under public scrutiny since his stepping back from royal duties in 2019.
