Identifying Chinese spy with alleged links to Prince Andrew 'matter for courts'
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Naming an alleged Chinese spy who has been linked to Prince Andrew is a "matter for the courts", a government minster has said. Jim McMahon told Sky News that while he does not know the alleged agent's identity, he assumes his more senior cabinet colleagues would be aware "depending on their security clearance".
Politics Live: Could 'H6' be named in the Commons?. The alleged spy, known only as H6, was described in court as having formed an "unusual degree of trust" with the Duke of York and is banned from the UK. Sky News has seen photos of him with David Cameron and Theresa May when they were Conservative prime ministers - but a court order prevents him from being named.
Asked about the man's identity, housing minister Mr McMahon said: "I certainly don't know who it is.". On whether Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer knows, he said: "I'm assuming that everybody within the cabinet, depending on their security clearance, will know the answer to that question.".
Mr McMahon said naming the individual is "a matter for the courts" and "they will make a judgment on whether the identity should be released or not". Parliamentary privilege allows members of parliament to speak freely during parliamentary proceedings without fear of legal action.
Reform UK is threatening to use this mechanism to disclose the Chinese businessman's identity in the Commons chamber unless the court lifts the anonymity order. Mr McMahon added: "Whether people choose to use parliamentary privilege is a matter of individual reconciliation. In the end, they need to be able to justify why they've done that.".
