SECRET information on the alleged Chinese spy linked to Prince Andrew will soon be made public.
Media outlets have for weeks been applying for a secrecy order to be lifted on confidential documents about 50- year-old Yang Tengbo.
Prince Andrew with alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo
A tribunal yesterday ruled they must be released by April 5, given “substantial public interest” in his international business deals and any royal involvement.
The files include a witness statement from the Duke of York’s top aide, Dominic Hampshire, supporting Yang’s appeal against his ban from Britain and detailing his “background and how he came to know Mr Yang”.
Immigration appeal judge Mr Justice Bourne ruled the material “cannot possibly be said to be confidential”, even if it was “embarrassing or indiscreet” for Andrew.
In a 25-page judgement, the ruling stated: “Substantial parts of the witness statement contain material which cannot possibly be said to be confidential.
“There are also comments about Mr Hampshire’s work with the Duke, which might seem embarrassing or indiscreet, but they are not such as to give rise to the inference that a legal duty of confidentiality attaches to them.”
It continued: “There is substantial public interest in reporting of international trading activity involving UK companies and in any involvement of any member of the Royal family in that activity.”
Yang, who has previously said he had “done nothing wrong or unlawful”, was blocked from entering the UK on national security grounds in March 2023.
Media lawyers had informed the commission that Mr Hampshire was in contact with UK intelligence services about Yang in 2022, well before he was excluded.
GettyMore embarrassment could be on the way for Prince Andrew[/caption]
Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
