King Charles ‘briefed by intelligence services’ over Prince Andrew’s friendship with ‘Chinese spy’
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The monarch is reportedly ‘very aware’ of the situation. King Charles has reportedly been briefed by British security services over his brother Prince Andrew’s relationship with an alleged Chinese spy. The Duke of York has said he “ceased all contact” with the businessman when concerns were first raised about him, with his office stating with that “nothing of a sensitive nature was ever discussed” between them.
![[The Duke of York could have been made ‘vulnerable’ to misuse of influence, judges said]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/12/17/24f02a5a167a62c06ebc03144a16981cY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzM0MTA5NjYx-2.59239800.jpg)
The businessman, known only as H6, lost an appeal over a decision to bar him from entering the UK on national security grounds, and was described as a “close confidante” of Andrew. A royal source told The Mirror: “The King has been briefed about this situation regarding the suspected Chinese spy and is very aware of what has been and what is being done about it.”.
![[Prince Andrew said he ‘ceased all contact’ with the businessman after concerns were raised]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/11/01/23/e4676f33cc89df2b5ae1e414f4107356Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzMwNTg4ODU2-2.23305728.jpg)
It is the latest association of the Duke of York’s to cause controversy, after his affiliation with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein led to him being removed from royal duties after conducting a disastrous interview with BBC Newsnight. A statement from Andrew’s office said: “The Duke of York followed advice from His Majesty’s government and ceased all contact with the individual after concerns were raised.
“The Duke met the individual through official channels with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed. “He is unable to comment further on matters relating to national security.”. Judges heard H6 formed a close working relationship with Prince Andrew, receiving an invite to his birthday party in 2020 and being told he could act on his behalf.
