UK's Prince Andrew, a Chinese businessman only known as H6, and allegations of espionage: What’s the real story?

A mysterious Chinese businessman, known only by the pseudonym H6, has come into the light due to his close ties with Prince Andrew and allegations of espionage.

Recently barred from the UK on national security grounds, H6 has become the focus of alleged Chinese government links, and questions about Britain’s national security.

We take a look at what we know so far:

Who is H6?

H6, a 50-year-old businessman, has been described as having cultivated “an unusual degree of trust” with Prince Andrew.

While his real identity remains shielded by an anonymity order, he has been accused of engaging in “covert and deceptive activity” on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its United Front Work Department (UFWD).

These allegations led to his expulsion from the UK in 2023 under the directive of then-UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman.

Despite his denials of political involvement, H6’s activities and connections have raised significant concerns. His devices, searched at a UK border in 2021 under counter-terrorism laws, revealed documents that suggested he had obscured ties to the Chinese government.

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The tribunal’s ruling highlighted his ability to “generate relationships” between prominent UK figures and senior Chinese officials, a capability that could be exploited by Beijing.

In a statement, the Chinese embassy in London condemned the accusations, criticising the “baseless ‘spy’ stories targeting China”. “Their purpose was “to smear China and disrupt normal exchanges between Chinese and British personnel.”

What is the link between H6 and Prince Andrew?

H6’s connection to Prince Andrew has emerged as a central aspect of the case. According to documents recovered from H6’s phone, the businessman had been authorised by the Duke of York to represent him in dealings with potential investors in China.

A letter from Dominic Hampshire, a senior advisor to Andrew, revealed the extent of H6’s trust and influence:

“You should never underestimate the strength of that relationship … outside of his closest internal confidants, you sit at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on,” the letter stated.

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H6 was also invited to Andrew’s 60th birthday celebration in 2020, further solidifying his position within the royal’s inner circle. In another document, the Duke was described as being in “a desperate situation” and willing to “grab onto anything,” suggesting a vulnerability that could be exploited.

Judge Charles Bourne, who presided over the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) case, remarked that H6’s influence on the Duke occurred in a context where Andrew was under considerable pressure. This situation, he noted, “could make him vulnerable to the misuse of that sort of influence.”

In response to the revelations, Andrew’s office stated: “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.”

This is not the first scandal involving the Duke of York. Andrew’s past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and allegations by Virginia Giuffre have previously tarnished his reputation.

Despite vehemently denying all accusations, Andrew stepped back from royal duties in 2019 and relinquished his military titles and patronages in 2022.

Who else did H6 know in British polity?

H6’s activities extended beyond his relationship with Prince Andrew. Reports indicate he met former UK Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May at separate events over the past 15 years, keeping photographs of these encounters in his London office. However, it remains unclear whether these meetings occurred while either leader was in office.

While some have dismissed these interactions as innocuous, others see them as part of a deliberate strategy.

The Independent quoted Dame Angela Eagle, who responded to questions about the photographs, stating, “Photographs aren’t necessarily any more meaningful than photographs. Spies are not short-termists; they sometimes establish friendships with people of influence over many, many years.”

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has criticised the anonymity order shielding H6’s identity, arguing that the public has a right to know. He told The Mail on Sunday: “If it’s not resolved in the courts, he should be named in the Commons. It’s clearly in the national interest.” Similarly, Labour MP Graham Stringer called the anonymity “ludicrous.”

Is H6 a Chinese spy?

The UK government’s decision to bar H6 was based on evidence linking him to the UFWD, a CCP apparatus described by Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a “magic weapon” to extend Beijing’s influence abroad. Judge Bourne concluded that the Home Office was justified in determining that H6 posed a risk to national security.

Dame Angela Eagle defended the actions taken, asserting, “The security services are always vigilant around potential espionage, and that’s the day job we pay them to do.”

H6’s case also reignited debates about the transparency of the UK’s espionage laws. Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has called for parliamentary debates on the matter, stating that the Royals’ involvement places the issue at the forefront of government concerns.

With inputs from agencies