MPs raise fears over China's reach as 'spy' is identified

An alleged Chinese spy who became a close confidant of the Duke of York has been named as Yang Tengbo following a court ruling, as concerns grow over Beijing's reach within British society.

- DAVID MADDOX

The 50-year-old businessman had been known as H6 until a judge lifted an anonymity order just ahead of an urgent question on the scandal from former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith.

MPs had threatened to use parliamentary privilege to reveal Mr Yang’s identity following accusations that he had become close to Prince Andrew in an effort to gain influence, and that he had helped the United Front Work Department – an arm of the Chinese Communist Party. But Mr Yang – who has also been pictured with former prime ministers Theresa May and David Cameron – insisted he had “done nothing wrong or unlawful”.

In a new statement, he said it was “entirely untrue” that he was involved in espionage and that he was a victim of a “political climate” of tension between Britain and China.

Meanwhile, Prince Andrew indicated that he would stay away from this year’s traditional Christmas royal get-together at Sandringham in Norfolk. His ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, will also miss the gathering in what will be seen as a show of solidarity with her former husband. The pair are said to be preparing to spend the day together at Royal Lodge, the home they still share in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire.

It is not yet known if the prince will attend King Charles’s traditional pre-Christmas lunch for the extended royal family at Buckingham Palace on Thursday. But Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who both have young families, had already planned to spend Christmas with their respective in-laws this year for the first time, sources said.