UK Court Reveals Prince Andrew’s Ties to Suspected Chinese Spy Amid Financial Struggles nm:

A UK court has released detailed documents uncovering how Prince Andrew’s damaged public image and urgent financial needs pushed him into a troubling relationship with Tengbo Yang, a suspected Chinese intelligence operative. The Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) unveiled a 10-page witness statement from Dominic Hampshire, a former senior aide to the Duke of York, describing the sequence of events that led to the relationship.

Hampshire claimed that following Andrew’s infamous 2019 BBC Newsnight interview about his ties with Jeffrey Epstein, his public image within the royal household was deemed “irrecoverable,” prompting discussions about options beyond royal duties.

Yang’s Role in Business Ventures

Yang reportedly co-founded Pitch@Palace China, an extension of Andrew’s entrepreneurship initiative. He was also authorized to represent Prince Andrew in meetings with potential Chinese investors for a new venture called the Eurasia Fund.

According to Hampshire, Yang assisted in drafting letters to Chinese President Xi Jinping, including birthday greetings and proposals regarding the Eurasia Fund. Yang positioned this fund as a means to upgrade the duke’s business ventures from networking to actual investments.

Security Concerns and Intelligence Warnings

British intelligence service MI5 grew concerned over Yang’s ties to the United Front Work Department, a branch of the Chinese Communist Party allegedly used for influencing foreign elites. Yang was barred from entering the UK in 2023 on national security grounds, a decision upheld in December 2024 by SIAC.

Despite Yang denying these allegations, the UK tribunal revealed that he was once officially empowered to act on Andrew’s behalf in investor meetings. These revelations were brought forward during the appeal hearing that made Hampshire’s statement public.

Royal Household’s Knowledge and Involvement

Hampshire said that the royal household, including the late Queen, was aware of the correspondence with Chinese leadership and did not object to it. He also met with King Charles and Andrew twice in 2024 to discuss the prince’s future and the Eurasia Fund initiative.

Clarifications and Denials

Hampshire emphasized that Yang never had direct access to Prince Andrew’s personal contact details and only communicated through formal channels. He stated,

“Chris [Yang] does not have the duke’s telephone number or his email address and does not have the ability to talk directly to the duke on his own—ever.”

He also confirmed that Prince Andrew fully complied with instructions to cut all contact with Yang once concerns were raised by UK authorities.