The 13th of December, court documents revealed that a businessman accused of being a Chinese spy had become a "close confidant" to the Duke of York, Prince Andrew.
It is unclear when and how the two men became friends, but the relationship is said to have begun during a time when the prince was "under significant pressure" which "could have made him vulnerable to abuse of that type of influence", according to the court.
Invited to a birthday party
The man suspected of spying for China is referred to as H6, and is said to have attended Prince Andrew's birthday party in 2020. H6 is also said to have been invited and participated in events at Buckingham Palace, St James Palace, and Windsor Castle at the duke's request, according to The Times.
The judges stated that H6 had created an "unusual degree of trust from a high-ranking member of the royal family who was willing to initiate business with him".
Both David Cameron and Theresa May, the UK's former prime ministers, are said to have met the man, who had pictures from the two meetings on his office desk. Neither Cameron nor May claim to have any memory of meeting the man, writes Sunday Times.
China denies
Prince Andrew claims to have met the man "through official channels" and that nothing sensitive was ever discussed. Prince Andrew is said to have ceased all contact after advice from the government, according to a statement from his office.
The man has been banned from entering the UK since March 2023 due to national security reasons.
China's embassy in the UK has denied the espionage allegations.
