Top political figures call for the lifting of UK court order which bans ‘Chinese spy’ with links to Prince Andrew from being named

A Chinese ‘spy’ who had close ties to Prince Andrew must be unmasked by a court, it was demanded last night.

The suspected agent had known the Duke of York for a decade, raising major concerns about national security and Beijing’s influence over the British establishment.

The Mail can reveal that, in addition to royals and former prime ministers, the alleged agent also mingled with captains of industry.

There are now calls for him to be identified publicly, amid fears that there may be others in high office who are unaware that they have dealt with a so-called spy.

Currently, he can only be referred to as H6, thanks to an anonymity decision by an immigration court that banned him from Britain on national security grounds.

But the 50-year-old’s name and photo are ridiculed by this order and widely used in Chinese and American news reports and on social media, in coverage seen by millions of people around the world.

The case will be heard again by the Supreme Court judges this week.

Last night, MPs urged the judges to lift the order as soon as possible – or face the prospect of MPs using parliamentary prerogative to appoint him to the House of Commons or the Lords without fear of legal action accusations.

The Mail can reveal that, in addition to royals and former prime ministers, the alleged agent also mingled with captains of industry. Pictured: Prince Andrew with the alleged Chinese spy

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “It is in the public interest that this is fully transparent. It is important to fully expose Chinese infiltration where it is taking place.

“There may be other people that Officer H6 has had contact with or had dealings with, and if he is publicly named, those people may come forward and contact security services. That is why it is important that the anonymity order is lifted as soon as possible.’

As The Mail on Sunday revealed, the businessman boasted about his visit to Downing Street and kept photos of the meeting with former Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May on the desk of his luxurious London office.

Footage from an interview with Chinese state television also claimed he was invited to Number 10 to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

The Mail has further learned that the suspect did business with very senior figures in Britain, with access to numerous high-profile establishment figures but who cannot be named due to the draconian anonymity order.

The Special Immigration Appeals Court (SIAC) previously ruled that the businessman could be named, but he appealed, meaning he can only be referred to in Britain by the H6 number.

However, critics cited the example of two British nationals – former parliamentary researcher Christopher Cash and teacher Christopher Berry – who were named in British courts after being accused of spying for China.

Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel said: ‘As this case of the spy at the heart of Whitehall has shown, there is substantial evidence that China is working to undermine our institutions and the values ​​that underpin our country.

“It is in the public interest to know the full facts behind the spy. We cannot close our eyes to China’s hostile incursions.”

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “It is in the public interest that this is fully transparent. It is important to fully expose Chinese infiltration where it is happening.”

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith (pictured) will table an urgent question during the House of Commons session to raise concerns about the influence of the Chinese state

Toby Young, general secretary of the campaign group Free Speech Union, said: ‘The British state has no duty to protect the identities of foreigners accused of espionage.

‘The suspect has been named by the media in China and the US… so refusing to allow the British media to name him would therefore be pointless. His name is already there.’

Former Tory party leader and leading China hawk Sir Iain Duncan Smith will table an urgent question during the House of Commons session to raise concerns about the influence of the Chinese state.

Reform leader Nigel Farage told the Mail last night that he would be prepared to use parliamentary privilege to name the alleged spy, saying: ‘Reform UK believes this is an issue so important that the public deserves the truth.’

Such a move has previously been used by politicians in court cases involving former Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs, former Topshop boss Sir Philip Green and a soldier accused of Troubles-related murders.

Allegations involving H6 and Andrew emerged on Thursday when it was confirmed that the individual had been banned from entering Britain by then Home Secretary Suella Braverman, in a move backed by MI5.

Legal papers show that Andrew’s “closest confidante” believed the disgraced Duke was in “a desperate situation and would cling to anything.”

Andrew and the suspect first met in 2012, but it was not until 2022, after the former Chinese official was harassed by security forces, that he ‘dropped him’.

Reform leader Nigel Farage (pictured) said he would be prepared to use parliamentary privilege to name the alleged spy

He said he met H6 through “official channels” and that “nothing of a sensitive nature was ever discussed.”

Labor admitted relations with China were “complex” but refused to criticize the nation, citing the countries’ “economic” relationship.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said on the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: ‘We will continue to take a very strong approach to our national security.

“That includes any challenge to our national security – including our economic security – from China, [and] from other countries around the world. That will always be the approach we will take.”