China ‘spy’ live updates: Suspected agent linked to Prince Andrew is named in momentous ruling by judge

Speaking on behalf of the businessman known only as H6, his barrister Guy Vassall-Adams KC said that his client wished to set aside the anonymity order.

“My lord following the judgement last Thursday, there has been an enormous amount of media reporting in relation to this story, in particular the relationship between my client H6 and Prince Andrew as well as a huge amount of speculation to the identity of my client,” he said.

He added that there had been some publication to the identity, as well as threats “from different quarters” to identify his client using parliamentary privilege.

“My client wishes to make a public statement and is applying for last Wednesday's order to be discharged,” he said.

The hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice has begun where lawyers acting for H6, the alleged Chinese spy linked to Prince Andrew, will shortly ask the court to allow the spy to be named.

Among those inside the room is The Independent's Holly Evans, who will be bringing you the latest updates.

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.

A judge will consider naming an alleged Chinese spy who was able to form links at the heart of the British establishment.

An urgent hearing is taking place at the Royal Courts of Justice today at 2pm where a judge is expected to review whether the suspect can be named.

Here is why the suspect cannot be named:

A minister will be forced to respond to questions from MPs in the wake of the Chinese spy allegations.

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has been granted an urgent question in the Commons on the “extent of United Front Work Department operations in the UK”.

The urgent question follows revelations about an alleged Chinese agent known as H6 forging links at the heart of the British establishment, including with the Duke of York.

Downing Street would not say whether the Prime Minister or other ministers had met with an alleged Chinese spy.

“I can’t comment on intelligence or security cases like this, it is a live legal case,” The Prime Minister’s official spokesman told reporters.

Asked whether ministers have spoken to Chinese government figures about the case, the spokesman said that “ministers and officials engage with China the whole time”, and would “always take an approach to China that is rooted in UK interests”.

The spokesman did not say whether the Prime Minister would support attempts to name the Chinese spy in the Commons, only saying that the legal case was a matter for the courts and that “everyone should be careful and do nothing which could undermine the case in question”.

On the future of the scheme designed to register foreign agents, the spokesman said: “The Government is working at pace to implement the foreign influence registration scheme. I’m not going to get ahead of that work, but any announcement would be made in the usual way.”

A judge will consider naming an alleged Chinese spy who was able to form links at the heart of the British establishment.

The suspect, known only as H6, 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.

They remain anonymous - although an urgent hearing is taking place at the Royal Courts of Justice today at 2pm where a judge is expected to review whether the suspect can be named.

Prince Andrew has been pictured driving from Royal Lodge in Windsor after it emerged his close confidant was an alleged Chinese spy.

The businessman, who liked to divide his time between China and UK – calling it his “second home” – had previously been granted indefinite leave to remain in Britain where he established himself as a close confidant of the Duke of York.

He is said to have used his high profile connection to secure invitations to Buckingham Palace and other royal residences, with fresh reports now alleging he also met two former prime ministers.