'Spy' who came into the fold

Andrew's pal named by court He met PMs such as Cameron

- DAVE BURKE and LIZZY BUCHAN

REVELATIONS over the alleged Chinese spy with links to Prince Andrew raise questions about how far China's secret agents have infiltrated UK society.

Yang Tengbo, 50, who was unmasked yesterday by the High Court, was pictured at events with ex-prime ministers David Cameron and Theresa May.

Tengbo was also pictured alongside then chancellor George Osborne at the first UK-China Business Leaders Summit in 2014, and reportedly visited Buckingham Palace twice as a guest of Prince Andrew.

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith warned this case is only "the tip of the iceberg".

Smith, who was sanctioned by Beijing in 2021 for criticising human rights abuses in Xinjiang, said: "There are many, many more involved in exactly this kind of espionage.

"The reality for us is very simple - China is a very clear threat." Tengbo was expelled from the UK last year amid claims he was gathering information for the United Front Work Department, an arm of the Chinese Communist Party.

The businessman, also known as Chris Yang and who denies being a spy, is alleged to have used his links with Andrew to secure invites to high-profile events and royal residences.

Former security minister Tom Tugendhat said: "I'm certain there are members of the United Front Work Department who are active in attempting to influence journalism, academics, politics and the whole lot.