Chinese ‘spy’ linked to Prince Andrew named as MP warns Yang Tengbo ‘was not a lone wolf’ | EUROtoday

It is known Andrew will steer clear of the King’s non-public Norfolk residence after the controversy surrounding alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo, who was banned from the UK and had solid hyperlinks to the Duke of York.

It isn’t but identified whether or not the duke will attend Charles’s conventional pre-Christmas lunch for the prolonged household on Thursday, which is predicted to be held at Buckingham Palace.

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie had already deliberate to spend Christmas with their respective in-laws this yr for the primary time.

A spy watchdog has been urged at Westminster to analyze an alleged Chinese undercover agent linked to the Duke of York and different espionage claims levelled at Beijing.

Speaking in Parliament, as friends permitted nominations for the ISC, which oversees the work of the UK’s spy businesses, Labour former minister Lord Foulkes of Cumnock mentioned: “I wonder if it would be appropriate at this time to ask if it would be possible for the Intelligence and Security Committee to conduct an investigation into H6 and all the allegations of spying from China?”

Responding, chief of the Lords Baroness Smith of Basildon, mentioned: “I don’t think it’s for the Lord Privy Seal to instruct the Intelligence and Security Committee on their business or how they conduct it but I am sure they will have taken note of the reports and are fully aware of the situation and will do whatever is appropriate.”

Here is what we all know concerning the businessman to this point:

• Mr Yang – who’s also referred to as Chris Yang – was born on 21 March 1974, in line with info from Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC).
• He studied at college in China after which labored as a junior civil servant in China for a variety of years.
• Mr Yang got here to the UK in 2002, finding out language in London for one yr, then taking a grasp’s diploma on the University of York in Public Administration and Public Policy.
• Since a minimum of 2005, Mr Yang has divided his time between the 2 international locations, then was granted indefinite depart to stay within the UK in 2013.
• He is listed as a director of Hampton Group International, a enterprise consultancy which says it acts as a bridge between China and the remainder of the world.
• Mr Yang was the founder-partner of Pitch@Palace China. The Pitch@Palace initiative was the Duke of York’s scheme to assist entrepreneurs.

The Hampton Group, a British firm based by Yang Tengbo, has issued an announcement following the excessive courtroom ruling.

The assertion learn: “Hampton Group is a British company employing a small number of British and Chinese nationals with the right to work in the UK. The company operates to high standards of governance and compliance according to international best practices. We pay tax in the UK and are proud to have made a positive impact on the UK economy through our work.

“Neither Hampton Group or any of its staff or associates have ever been involved in any covert intelligence gathering on behalf of the Chinese Government, or any other state. Hampton Group in the UK will continue to support its clients, helping them to achieve their commercial goals.”

The Hampton Group gives consulting and occasions providers to British and Chinese firms. Tengbo isn’t concerned within the day-to-day operations of the UK enterprise, the corporate mentioned.

Every MP will doubtless have been contacted by Chinese brokers “at some point”, the Conservatives’ shadow house secretary has warned.

Chris Philp instructed 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 are trying to achieve.

“When I was technology minister, I saw this in areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing and others.”

He added: “Last year, the head of MI5 Ken McCallum said that Chinese activity seeking to infiltrate our institutions is – and I quote – on an ‘epic scale’.

“Last year, there were multiple attempts by Chinese companies to get hold of sensitive technology and MI5 estimate that 20,000 individuals have been approached by Chinese agents who are trying to influence them or forge contacts in some way, and it’s likely that, at some point either in the past or in the future, every member of this House will be contacted or attempted to be contacted in one form or another.”

Security minister Dan Jarvis replied that it’s “completely unacceptable that any entity, whether they be a hostile state or other, seeks to draw intellectual property out of our country”.

He reiterated that on the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (Firs), the Government would “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”.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith mentioned 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 instructed the Commons.

The former Conservative chief 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?”