Andrew ‘confidant’ banned from UK over national security
A Chinese businessman described as a “close confidant” of the Duke of York has lost his appeal against a decision to ban him from entering the UK on national security grounds.
The man, known as H6, brought the case after he was banned from entering the country in March 2023 by then Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
The judge heard the businessman developed a close working relationship with Prince Andrew, received an invitation to his 2020 birthday party and was told he could represent Prince Andrew in dealings with potential investors in China.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment, saying only that they do not act on behalf of the prince because he is a non-working royal.
H6 refers the case to the Special Immigration Appeals Board, a court established to consider appeals against decisions to ban or deport a person on national security or related grounds.
exist Announcement of rulingThe judge said Braverman was “entitled to conclude that (H6) posed a risk to UK national security and she was entitled to conclude that his exclusion was reasonable and proportionate”.
The ruling delves into the reasons for the Home Secretary’s original decision and the communications between H6 and the Duke’s senior advisers.
In a letter found on one of the businessman’s electronic devices, the adviser told him: “You sit at the top of a tree where many people would like to sit, except for[the prince’s]closest internal confidants. “Top of the tree.”
It added: “With your guidance we found a way for the individuals involved to enter and exit the Windsor house unnoticed.”
Excerpts from the letter included in the ruling did not provide further details about who the “relevant persons” were.
The ruling said H6 had handed over a large number of electronic devices, including a mobile phone, after being intercepted by UK Border Security in November 2021.
He was subsequently informed that he was believed to have links to the United Front Work Department (UFWD), a division of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) responsible for conducting influence operations.
The ruling said MI5 was concerned about the threat posed to the UK by Chinese political interference and said agencies such as the United Front Work Department were “engaging in a patient, well-funded and deceptive campaign of bribery and influence”.
The British Home Office stated that they believe H6 is engaged in clandestine and deceptive activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party and that his relationship with Prince Andrew may be used for political interference.
The judges upheld Braverman’s decision, saying H6 had “earned the unusual trust of a senior royal who was prepared to engage in commercial activities with him”.
They added that the relationship developed at a time when the Duke was “under considerable pressure”, which “may have left him vulnerable to abuse of this influence”.
November 2019, Duke Stepping back from royal duties Public outrage has grown over his friendship with the late American financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The problem is then proposed He learned after reaching a settlement, believed to be worth millions, in the civil sexual assault case brought against him by one of Epstein’s accusers, Virginia Giuffre. own financial situation. The Duke has always denied assaulting Ms Giuffre.
Last month, a royal biography claims The prince’s brother, King Charles, cut him off financially, stopping paying for security at his home or providing him with a personal stipend.
