An alleged Chinese spy banned from the UK and linked to the Duke of York can now be named as Yang Tengbo, a High Court judge has ruled.
The 50-year-old director of a Chinese investment consultancy firm was barred from the UK in 2023 after it was deemed he would likely threaten national security.
A High Court judge has now lifted an anonymity order so he can now be identified.
The suspect is said to have become a “close” confidant of the Duke of York and has also been pictured with senior politicians including Lord David Cameron and Baroness Theresa May.
Former Conservative leader Sir Ian Duncan Smit told the House of Commons Tengbo “was not a lone wolf”.
“He was one of some 40,000 members of the United Works Department, which the intelligence security committee report last year said and I quote ‘are known to government, had penetrated every sector of the UK economy, spying, stealing intellectual property, influencing and shaping our institutions,” he said.
Security minister Dan Jarvis said the government will not hesitate to use “every tool at our disposal” to keep the UK safe.
The prime minister has full confidence in the British courts, Downing Street says
The prime minister has full confidence in the British courts, No 10 signalled, after an alleged Chinese spy said he was a victim of a political climate which had seen a rise in tensions between the UK and China.
Asked whether the Prime Minister believed the High Court had been influenced by political tensions when it lifted the anonymity order for Yang Tengbo, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “No”.
“We respect the independence of our courts and, as I say, the first duty of every Government is national security, and we welcome the court’s decision to uphold the Home Office’s position in relation to the exclusion of this individual.”
Asked whether he believed the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) was fair, the spokesman said: “Of course, and we obviously welcome the court’s decision to uphold the Home Office’s position in relation to the exclusion of this individual, as the minister has just said in the House.
“More broadly wherever there are individuals who pose a threat to our national security we will use the full range of powers available to disrupt them.”
Jabed Ahmed16 December 2024 16:17
Labour remind Tories of questionable Tory record on China
Former political journalist turned Labour MP Paul Waugh remembers that in his previous career, Theresa May as prime minister was praised for sidestepping human rights issues on a trip to China.
Waugh was a journalist on the aeroplane with Baroness May at the time.
Earlier, minister Dan Jarvis pointed out that David Cameron as Tory prime minister took President Xi Jinping to the pub on a visit to the UK.
The attacks underline a problem the Tories have in trying to attack Labour now when Labour is in effect following the same policy as their predecessors.
Mr Jarvis suggests the Tories approach the subject “with humility”.
David Maddox 16 December 2024 16:04
Chris Phillip: Chinese infiltration of public organisations is of grave concern
Shadow home secretary Chris Phillip told the Commons: “Chinese infiltration of public organisations is of grave concern but it’s not just public organisations such as government. It’s also businesses and universities that are being systemically infiltrated and often intellectual property theft is at the heart of what the Chinese Government is trying to achieve.”
He added: The opposition will fully support the Government in working to secure our nation’s safety but in that spirit I would just ask one or two questions.
“Firstly, would he consider expediting the implementation of the foreign influence registration scheme that he referred to, and can I echo my Rt Hon friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green’s suggestion that China is placed in the enhanced deal of that?
“Secondly, will the security minister review the wisdom of the Government’s approach to China? Given what we’ve learnt and what we know, these very close relations that the Prime Minister are attempting may not be wise and the rather sycophantic approach the Prime Minister took with President Xi a few weeks ago may not be very wise in light of what we now know.”
Security minister Dan Jarvis responded: “He asked me again about Firs. I hope I’ve been able to provide some reassurance in terms of the Government’s intention to lay the regulations as soon as practically possible in the new year with a view to having the scheme up and running by the summer.
“In terms of the approach to China, I don’t agree with his characterisation of the Prime Minister’s recent meeting and I will just say very gently to him, at least he didn’t take him to the pub for a pint.”
Jabed Ahmed16 December 2024 16:02
Yang Tengbo was not a lone wolf, Ian Duncan Smith says
Sir Iain Duncan Smith has said Yang Tengbo “was not a lone wolf”.
“He was one of some 40,000 members of the United Works Department, which the intelligence security committee report last year said and I quote ‘are known to government, had penetrated every sector of the UK economy, spying, stealing intellectual property, influencing and shaping our institutions,” he told the Commons
The former Conservative leader continued: “Will the Government commit to putting China now in the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme (Firs)? And will they do it now, no more delay, there is no need for delay… China is our most prominent security threat and all action must take priority.”
“Far from challenging China on human rights, it appears we are turning a blind eye to them. Why is that?”
Jabed Ahmed16 December 2024 15:56
House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle chides the government for not offering a statement to the House and instead being forced to respond to Sir Iain Duncan Smith’s urgent question.
The failure to come forward with a statement gives the impression that the government does not want to be forthcoming on the issue.
It underlines that Labour feel uncomfortable with the tightrope they are trying to walk on diplomacy with China.
Jabed Ahmed16 December 2024 15:54
UK will have consistent and strategic approach to China, security minister says
Security minister Dan Jarvis has insisted the UK’s approach to China will be “consistent and strategic”.
“We will challenge where we must in order to keep our country safe, compete where we need to and cooperate where we can, for example on matters like climate change,” he said.
“That is acting in the national interest and the Prime Minister reiterated this earlier today.
“However, the breadth of the threats we face from foreign states are pernicious and complex and the work of our intelligence agencies is unrivalled in mitigating them and I want to take this opportunity today in paying tribute to them and the work they do in keeping our country safe.”
He added: “When the UK’s national security is at risk, we will not hesitate to use every tool at our disposal to keep our country safe.”
Jabed Ahmed16 December 2024 15:53
Profile: Who is Yang Tengbo? Everything we know about alleged Chinese spy who was close confidant of Prince Andrew
Jabed Ahmed16 December 2024 15:46
Chinese spy not in a vacuum, says minister
Security minister Dan Jarvis emphasises that the Chinese spy case “does not exist in a vacuum.”
Quoting the head of MI6 he reminds MPs that the UK is facing hostile acts from China, Russia and Iran.
He makes it clear that the row does not change the position of China. Claims it will be “robust where we need to” but does not rule out all cooperation.
It is a response which will not satisfy those who believe China is a threat at all levels.
David Maddox16 December 2024 15:42
