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London – A businessman from China with connections to Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, has faced a setback in his legal battle as he lost an appeal regarding a 2023 decision that prohibits him from entering the United Kingdom due to national security concerns.
The individual, who has not been publicly named, was reported to have connections to the Chinese government and had notably been invited to Prince Andrew’s birthday celebration in 2020, as revealed in a ruling by the U.K. Special Immigration Appeals Commission.
According to the court’s published findings, a letter from Andrew’s aide, Dominic Hampshire, underscored the significance of the connection between the businessman and the royal family. It noted, “I also hope that it is clear to you where you sit with my principal and indeed his family.” The letter suggested that the man held a privileged position among those seeking influence with Prince Andrew, highlighting that “you should never underestimate the strength of that relationship.”
The correspondence further stated the aide’s ability to discreetly maneuver within the royal household and manage sensitive dealings, as evidenced by the suggestion that under the businessman’s guidance, they had effectively facilitated discreet access for certain individuals at Windsor.
Additionally, Hampshire informed the businessman that he had been authorized to represent Prince Andrew in discussions concerning potential Chinese investors for a financial initiative.
The U.K. judgement indicated that these interactions positioned the businessman to cultivate relationships with influential figures in both China and the U.K., potentially opening avenues for political meddling on behalf of the Chinese state. Authorities noted that the businessman had not fully disclosed the nature of his relationship with Prince Andrew, characterizing it as having “covert and clandestine” characteristics.
Furthermore, the ruling identified that the businessman had concealed links to organizations associated with the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front strategy, which aims to exert influence and gather intelligence to advance the interests of the Chinese government.
Evidence from the man’s mobile phone revealed messages indicating his role as an overseas representative for the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, a key advisory body within this influence framework. The judgement remarked that the individual had gained “an unusual degree of trust” from a senior royal, suggesting that Prince Andrew was willing to engage in business ventures with him.
At the time of this relationship, Prince Andrew reportedly faced significant pressures, leading the court to suggest that these circumstances may have made him susceptible to external influences. This vulnerability has raised alarms given the growing scrutiny surrounding foreign influence operations, particularly those attributed to China.
Prince Andrew’s public standing has been further compromised since he was stripped of military titles and royal patronages in 2022, following serious allegations of sexual misconduct. The recent judgement arrives as intelligence agencies increasingly express concern over China’s global activities, with the head of Britain’s MI6 describing the nation as the “single greatest priority” for U.K. intelligence operations in 2021.
When contacted for comments on this matter, Buckingham Palace chose to refrain from responding.
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