The shadow home secretary expressed he is “profoundly alarmed” regarding claims of Chinese espionage within the UK and cautioned individuals in public positions to be “exceptionally alert”.
Chris Philp conveyed to Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips that the Chinese Communist Party has a history of “conducting organized and systematic efforts to sway political matters” over several years.
Sky News has obtained images of the purported Chinese spy with David Cameron and Theresa May during their tenure as Conservative prime ministers.
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Last Thursday, the businessman, referred to as “H6” for legal purposes and described as a “close associate” of Prince Andrew, was prohibited from entering the nation, with judges asserting that the Duke of York may have been made “vulnerable” by his presence.
Mr. Philp cautioned: “I believe all individuals in public roles, as well as those in business and academia, must reflect very carefully on affiliations with anyone who may be linked to the Chinese government.”
“Especially those in sensitive or high-profile roles should exercise heightened vigilance.”
He emphasized that H6’s association with Prince Andrew indicates “there are dangers involved and everyone must be extraordinarily cautious”.
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‘China has engaged in this for numerous years’
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper articulated that the government’s stance towards China is a “complex framework” as it seeks to balance security apprehensions with economic cooperation.
In her remarks to the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg program, she stated: “We will maintain a robust posture regarding our national security, which encompasses any threats to our national safety, including those posed to our economic security by China and other global actors. This will consistently be the approach we adopt.”
“Certainly, with China, it is imperative to ensure that we have the channels for economic interaction and collaboration established as well. Therefore, it is indeed a complex framework.”
Representatives for both Lord Cameron and Lady May informed Sky News that they encounter and are photographed with numerous individuals every year.
Lady May’s spokesperson indicated that she does not recall “when or where this specific photograph was taken or the individual in question”.
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Lord Cameron and Theresa May were both seen with the alleged Chinese spy. Pic: PA
Mr. Philp remarked that it appeared H6 was photographed with the two former prime ministers “in a sort of cursory manner…and there was no substantial interaction or dialogue”.
“In the realm of public life, photos with individuals occur frequently,” he noted.
“It transpires dozens of times weekly and does not indicate any form of profound relationship.”
H6 attended Prince Andrew’s birthday celebration in 2020, where royal aide Dominic Hampshire purportedly informed him that he could represent the duke when engaging with prospective investors in China, as revealed in a tribunal hearing this past July.
A judge determined that the Chinese entrepreneur was granted an “exceptional” level of trust from royalty.
On Friday, the duke stated he “terminated all communication” with the businessman following government concerns.
H6 was initially barred from entering the UK in 2023 due to national security concerns by Suella Braverman, who held the home secretary position at that time.
In July of that year, the Home Office announced that H6 was deemed to have participated in “clandestine and deceptive actions” for the Chinese Communist Party.
Following this, he challenged the ruling as being unlawful but judges upheld the entry ban on him into the UK last Thursday.
