Prince Andrew's ties with alleged spy spark new scandal
Prince Andrew is once again embroiled in controversy. Reports by "The Sun" reveal the identity of Yang Tengbo, suspected of espionage, for the first time. Allegations suggest he had connections to the royal family.
Yang Tengbo, 50, described as a "close confidant" of the Duke of York, finds himself at the centre of a new scandal that has shaken the royal family. Yang has been photographed with former UK Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May.
The Sun reports that in 2020, Yang received an invitation to Prince Andrew's birthday party, highlighting his close ties with the royal family. Yang was also seen supporting the prince amid numerous controversies and scandals.
Following an investigation, Yang lost an appeal against the decision to ban him from entering the UK, imposed due to national security threats. Judges found he was not honest about his connections to the Chinese state, and his close relationships with the prince and other influential figures could be a threat to the UK's interests.
Scandal in the royal family. A statement was issued
The prince's office released a statement addressing the controversies, stating that the Duke of York followed recommendations from Her Majesty's Government and ended all interactions with the individual once concerns were brought to light. The statement clarified that their meeting occurred through official channels and did not involve any discussion of sensitive information, adding that the Duke cannot comment further on national security issues.
After serious concerns were raised, Prince Andrew decided to cease all contact with the man suspected of espionage. "The Sun" reports that this issue only deepens the prince's image crisis.
Royal expert Phil Dampier expressed concerns that granting a Chinese spy access to royal residences like Windsor and Buckingham Palace posed a significant risk to the security of both the royal family and the monarchy as a whole.
This is another setback for Prince Andrew, who, after stepping back from public life and paying compensation to Virginia Roberts-Giuffre – a victim of his American friend Jeffrey Epstein – once again finds himself at the centre of controversy.
