China ‘spy’ live updates: Suspected agent linked to Prince Andrew named as minister responds to security threat
A judge has lifted an anonymity order for alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo at the Royal Courts of Justice
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Your support makes all the difference.An alleged Chinese spy banned from the UK and linked to the Duke of York can now be named as Yang Tengbo, a High Court judge has ruled.
The 50-year-old director of a Chinese investment consultancy firm was barred from the UK in 2023 after it was deemed he would likely threaten national security.
A High Court judge has now lifted an anonymity order so he can now be identified.
The suspect is said to have become a “close” confidant of the Duke of York and has also been pictured with senior politicians including Lord David Cameron and Baroness Theresa May.
Security minister Dan Jarvis emphasises that the Chinese spy case “does not exist in a vacuum,” in response to an urgent question in the House of Commons.
Quoting the head of MI6 he reminded MPs that the UK is facing hostile acts from China, Russia and Iran.
He makes it clear that the row does not change the position of China. Claims it will be “robust where we need to” but does not rule out all cooperation.
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Profile: Who is Yang Tengbo? Everything we know about alleged Chinese spy who was close confidant of Prince Andrew
Who is Yang Tengbo? Everything we know about alleged Chinese spy
Yang Tengbo insisted he has done ‘nothing wrong’ and rejected allegations of being a spy as ‘entirely untrue’
Chinese spy not in a vacuum, says minister
Security minister Dan Jarvis emphasises that the Chinese spy case “does not exist in a vacuum.”
Quoting the head of MI6 he reminds MPs that the UK is facing hostile acts from China, Russia and Iran.
He makes it clear that the row does not change the position of China. Claims it will be “robust where we need to” but does not rule out all cooperation.
It is a response which will not satisfy those who believe China is a threat at all levels.
Pictured: Yang Tengbo and Prince Andrew
Watch: Alleged spy Yang Tengbo appears on Chinese state TV alongside portraits of British PMs
Yang Tengbo’s consultancy firm helped broker Prince Andrews’ former school expansion into China
Top British boarding school Gordonstoun – where King Charles, Prince Andrew and Prince Phillip were educated – signed a deal with the alleged Chinese spy’s firm to open campuses in China.
Gordonstoun entered a partnership with the Hampton Group, a consultancy firm run by Yang Tengbo, to open up to five schools in China and Hong Kong.
A statement issued by the school in 2019 said: “In an important moment in Gordonstoun’s history, the first Gordonstoun school in China which is expected to open in 2022 has been announced. The location of the first school will be announced soon and will be chosen to enable access to green spaces and the sea both key features of a Gordonstoun education.
“This is part of a long-term multi-school agreement with Hampton Group, a specialist in fostering closer bonds between the UK and China.”
It added: “In the Hampton Group, we feel that we have found the right partner to help us introduce the unique Gordonstoun approach to China. Their commitment to character development in education shone through from the first meeting and we have been encouraged by all we have seen and heard from them in the intervening months.”
The Chinese school was initially earmarked to open in 2022, but the project was stalled due to the pandemic.
The Hampton Group, a British company founded by Yang Tengbo, provides consulting and events services to British and Chinese companies. Tengbo is not involved in the day-to-day operations of the UK business, the company said.
What happens next?
We are shortly expecting former Conservative leader Ian Duncan Smith to ask an urgent question in the House of Commons on China's influence in the wake of the alleged spy scandal.
The question reads “to ask the Home Secretary if she will make a statement on the extent of United Front Work Department operations within the UK”.
Our political editor David Maddox will be watching and providing updates right here.
British Company founded by Yang Tengbo issues statement
The Hampton Group, a British company founded by Yang Tengbo, has issued a statement following the high court ruling.
The statement read: "Hampton Group is a British company employing a small number of British and Chinese nationals with the right to work in the UK. The company operates to high standards of governance and compliance according to international best practices. We pay tax in the UK and are proud to have made a positive impact on the UK economy through our work.
"Neither Hampton Group or any of its staff or associates have ever been involved in any covert intelligence gathering on behalf of the Chinese Government, or any other state. Hampton Group in the UK will continue to support its clients, helping them to achieve their commercial goals."
The Hampton Group provides consulting and events services to British and Chinese companies. Tengbo is not involved in the day-to-day operations of the UK business, the company said.
Farage claims pressure from Reform Uk prompted judges ruliing
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has claimed victory after the alleged Chinese spy was named.
He wrote on X: “I am pleased that pressure by Reform over the last 48 hours has now led to this man being named. The public deserve to know.”
Keir Starmer set for tough questions over defence spending as Estonia suggests ‘security tax’
Read the full report from our Political Correspondent Millie Cooke at the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) conference in Estonia:
Estonia suggests ‘security tax’ as UK pressured to up defence spending
Just hours before the start of a key European defence summit, Estonia’s defence minister issued a stark warning that spending 2 per cent of GDP of defence is simply not enough
Yang Tengbo statement in full: Suspected Chinese spy breaks silence after being named at heart of scandal
Suspected Chinese spy breaks silence after being named at heart of scandal
Yang Tengbo, who can now be named after a ruling at the Royal Courts of Justice, said he has ‘done nothing wrong or unlawful’
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