A suspected Chinese spy linked to Prince Andrew has been identified as Yang Tengbo after a court lifted a suppression order.

Yang, a 50-year-old businessman, was previously barred from the UK due to his connections with the Chinese Communist Party.

The court ruling, made by Justice Chamberlain, came ahead of a parliamentary session where Yang was expected to be named.

Yang attempted to appeal the barring decision but was rejected by the court, which noted his significant trust level with Prince Andrew, allowing him access to potential political leverage.

In a statement following the court’s decision, Yang refuted the label of “spy,” claiming a lack of substantial evidence against him.

Britain’s Prince Andrew, Duke of York.

Two decades

He expressed concerns over speculations regarding his relationship with the prince and emphasized that he had developed a life in the UK over two decades.

Seized documents revealed extensive communications between Yang and Prince Andrew, including invitations to social events and discussions on potential business dealings with China.

The prince’s representatives stated that Andrew followed government guidance and ceased contact with Yang once concerns were raised.

Experts highlighted the implications of Yang’s relationship with Prince Andrew, marking it as a significant lapse in security.

Yang, who moved to the UK in 2002, had established a consultancy focusing on UK-China relations.