Prince Andrew breaks cover amid hugely embarrassing Chinese spy row as royal urged to ‘uninvite himself’ from Xmas bash
PRINCE Andrew has broken his cover amid a hugely embarrassing Chinese spy row - as he's urged to "uninvite himself" from the royal Christmas.
The Duke of York was snapped for the first time this morning driving a Range Rover from Royal Lodge, in Windsor, after his supposed 10-year friendship with a spy was made public.
Described in court papers as a close confidant of Andrew's, the royal was forced to say "nothing of a sensitive nature [was] ever discussed" with the man.
In a statement issued on Friday, Andrew's office said: "The Duke of York followed advice from HMG 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.
"He is unable to comment further on matters relating to national security."
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The suspected spy previously lost an appeal against a decision to ban him from Britain.
The 50-year-old, who supported Prince Andrew during recent scandals and was invited to his birthday party in 2020, was properly excluded, immigration judges ruled.
He was not honest about his links to the Chinese state and could exploit his relationship with the duke and other public figures, they said.
The King is "exasperated" after he was briefed by British intelligence over the major security breach, the reports.
Counter-intelligence officers are probing how the man became scandal-hit Andrew's "confidant".
They are also reportedly investigating whether Andrew received cash from China.
It is said the alleged Chinese spy visited Buckingham Palace and knew Andrew for around 10 years.
In their ruling, the judges pointed to what they called the “unusual degree of trust” the man had from a senior royal.
They added: “It is obvious that the pressures on the duke could make him vulnerable to the misuse of that sort of influence.”
The man, known as H6, was banned last year by then-Home Secretary Suella Braverman after officials flagged concerns.
The Chinese national had been due to be named after an anonymity order made in May 2023 was lifted by judges at the specialist tribunal.
However, the day before the judgement was due to be published, H6 made a successful bid at the High Court for a temporary block on being named.
He will now stay anonymous until a further hearing at High Court.
It comes as insiders claim Andrew must “uninvite himself” from the Royal Family’s pre-Christmas bash over the controversial relationship.
CHINA must be put in the highest threat category, MPS demand
By JACK ELSOM, Chief Political Correspondent
CHINA must be put in the highest threat category of a new foreign influence register, MPs tonight demanded.
Ministers were accused of dragging their feet after confirming the list of shadowy operators will not go live for at least six months.
The Beijing “spy” row sparked angry exchanges between Labour and the Tories, with both parties claiming the other had recklessly sucked up to the Communist regime.
It saw Sir Keir Starmer slammed for taking a “sycophantic tone” with President Xi at the G20 summit last month.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said the long-awaited Foreign Influence Registration Scheme will launch next summer.
The programme - announced under the Conservatives - will force people working for overseas powers to declare their activities to the Home Office.
It is divided into two tiers, with the highest “enhanced tier” for hostile states that require additional vetting.
Government source have told The Sun that China was currently not being earmarked for that category.
Former Tory security minister Tom Tugendhat, who spearheaded the scheme in government, yesterday said: “The advice from MI5 was very very clear. If China isn't in the enhanced tier it's not worth having.”
Ex-Home Secretary Suella Braverman added: “Isn’t it regrettable that it has taken a high-profile case, public outcry, and the Opposition dragging the Minister to the chamber to finally get the government to commit to implement the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme.”
And former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith blasted: “How was it that somebody who was known for the security committee forces was allowed to get so close to a member of the royal family without proper scrutiny exposing him.”
Mr Jarvis insisted the Government would not hesitate to use “every tool at our disposal” to keep Britain safe - and blamed the Tories for leaving the register plans in disarray.
He said: “Where there are individuals who pose a threat to our national security, we are committed to using the full range of powers available to disrupt them.”
Conservative Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp attacked Sir Keir’s summit sitdown with President Xi last month.
He said: “Given what we’ve learned and what we know, these very close relations that the prime minister is apparently attempting may not be wise, and the rather sycophantic tone the prime minister took with President Xi at the G20 a few weeks ago may not be very wise in light of what we now.”
Highlighting David Cameron’s infamous beer with the China strongman, Mr Jarvis shot back: “At least he did not take him to the pub for a pint.”
Andrew is due to attend the lunch at Buckingham Palace this Thursday.
But a source said: “He is under pressure to step away.”
The Prince should do “the gentlemanly thing” and skip a festive family lunch this week to avoid fresh embarrassment over the scandal of his Chinese spy pal, insiders say.
Shamed Andy is also being urged to avoid being seen in public when the royals walk to church at Sandringham on Christmas Day.
His invite to Thursday’s meal at Buckingham Palace for more than 50 members of the extended Royal Family is now said to be untenable, with courtiers urging Andrew not to force King Charles’s hand in barring him.
It would also see him avoid a grilling from his brother in what would be their first face-to-face meeting since the scandal broke.
A source said yesterday: “There would inevitably have to be some very awkward conversations and the King would not relish making his brother squirm.
“Andrew has managed the unthinkable and made a complete t*t of himself even before the Christmas party.
“It’s been a hell of a year for The Firm and the last thing they want is this scandal dragging on during a period of celebration.
“The thinking is he’s been foolish, but the more he keeps his head down the sooner everyone can move on.”
One source close to the King said Charles would be reluctant to ban his brother outright.
But he might have to rely on courtiers diplomatically “advising” him.
Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, said: “Andrew should take it on himself and decline both invites. It would be the gentlemanly thing to do so he isn’t embarrassing the King.
“But Andrew is pretty thick-skinned and maybe we have to rely on the influence of Fergie.
“Christmas Day is different because the walk to church is so public and the pictures go all round the world. He should take a back seat and just not go.
“Andrew is an embarrassment for the King at the end of a difficult year where he and the rest of the family have had to deal with cancer and they were looking to start 2025 with optimism.
“He shouldn’t have to deal with a brother who has potentially caused a huge political problem.”
Security chiefs feared Beijing was attempting an “elite capture” operation to influence Andrew.
The Home Office believed the businessman had been engaged in covert activity and his relationship with Andrew, 64, could be used for political interference.
MI5 launched a probe into the Duke’s China links.
He was made a trade envoy to the communist country in 2001 and held events there for Pitch@Palace, his programme to link businesses with investors.
PRIME MINISTER CONCERNS
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer admitted he had concerns about China but defended his approach to engaging with Beijing.
At a press conference in Norway, the Prime Minister was asked about the case of the alleged spy known as H6 who had close ties with the Duke of York.
Sir Keir said: "In relation to any discussions with Buckingham Palace there's a long-standing convention in the United Kingdom that that's never spoken about.
"But of course we are concerned about the challenge that China poses."
He added: "Our approach is one of engagement, of co-operating where we need to co-operate, particularly on issues like climate change, to challenge where we must and where we should, particularly on issues like human rights and to compete when it comes to trade.
"That's the strategic approach that we have set out as a UK Government. "
The scandal comes after Andrew won his battle to stay at his Royal Lodge home in Windsor.
Despite the King axing his annual £3million allowance, the Duke secured mystery funding to pay for his upkeep and security.
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Palace officials have been assured the cash is from legitimate sources.
The Palace declined to comment.