The alleged Chinese spy (H6) who reportedly befriended Prince Andrew is just the “tip of the iceberg”, a former security minister has said.
Tom Tugendhat, who stood in the recent Conservative leadership election, said that we are “seeing a pattern” of attempts to influence or change British policy, and also attempts to steal economic secrets and intellectual property.
Speaking to Sky News on Monday morning, Tugendhat said the volume of this is “huge”, with thousands of people working in China and $3 billion (£2.4 billion) or so in support from the Chinese state.
H6, who liked to divide his time between China and UK, allegedly became a close confidant of the Duke of York. He also reportedly met David Cameron in Downing Street and Theresa May at a black-tie reception, and has now been barred from the UK because he is said to pose a threat to national security.
Tugendhat also criticised the prime minister for having a summit with China’s premier Xi Jinping, and chancellor Rachel Reeves for planning meetings in China in the new year. The Conservative MP said there should “of course” be working-level meetings, but doesn’t think closer ties are appropriate.
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Meanwhile, former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has accused a “weak” Labour government of not wanting to be seen to criticise China.
The MP is applying for an urgent question in the House of Commons on the influence of Beijing’s shadowy United Front Work Department, the group said to be associated with the unnamed man.
Sir Iain has also labelled the revelations about H6 the “tip of the iceberg”, saying there are many Chinese spies in the UK.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We’re dealing with the tip of the iceberg. The fact is there are many more like him (H6) in the UK.
“There are many more doing the job that he’s been doing, and the fact he was leaving the UK tells you that he realised at some point he was going to get caught.
“The reality is that there are many, many more involved in exactly this kind of espionage that’s taking place. The reality for us is very simple — China is a very clear threat.”
Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel has said the public deserves to know the “full facts” behind the case, warning “we cannot turn a blind eye”.
Meanwhile Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, has said the courts should name H6. “The spy should be named — I hope the court change or cancel their anonymity order. There may be other people who have had contact with that person”, he said.
Josh Self is Editor of Politics.co.uk, follow him on Bluesky here.
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