MPs demand answers over China 'spy' and two PMs

Prince Andrew’s confidant reportedly met Cameron and May

- KATE DEVLIN

Ministers are under increasing pressure to act after an alleged Chinese spy became a close confidant of the Duke of York and reportedly met two former prime ministers, as MPs threatened to name him if the courts do not.

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith accused a “weak” Labour government of not wanting to be seen to criticise China, while the shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said the public deserved to know the “full facts” behind the case, warning “we cannot turn a blind eye”.

Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said the courts should name him. “The spy should be named – I hope the court change or cancel their anonymity order. There may be other people who have had contact with that person,” he said.

As calls mounted, Lord Patten, the last governor of Hong Kong accused the government of being “too soft” on China and urged ministers to set out a “pretty clear statement” on their policy towards the state.

The demands came as home secretary Yvette Cooper claimed the government’s approach was “complex” because Britain needed to have economic cooperation with China – even as she warned the communist state the UK would take a “very strong approach” to national security.

Sir Iain will today seek to drag ministers to the Commons to answer questions on the scandal by tabling an Urgent Question. There were warnings of a “major security breach” after reports yesterday that David Cameron met the businessman at a reception in Downing Street.

The businessman is also reported to have met a second former prime minister, Baroness May, and kept pictures of both of them in his London office. Earlier this week, Prince Andrew’s connections to the alleged spy became the latest scandal to engulf the Duke of York, after the man was barred from the UK because he was judged likely to pose a threat to national security.