The alleged Chinese spy with links to Prince Andrew has said he did “nothing wrong or unlawful” – as he was named publicly for the first time.
In a statement, Yang Tengbo added that the “widespread description of me as a ‘spy’ is entirely untrue”.
It comes after the High Court lifted restrictions on naming the businessman, previously described as a “close confidant” of the royal, earlier this afternoon.
Until now he was only known publicly as “H6” after a court imposed an anonymity order.
Mr Yang said he asked his legal team to disclose his identity “due to the high level of speculation and misreporting in the media”.
Last week he lost an appeal over a decision to bar him from entering the UK on national security grounds.
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Mr Yang said: “I have done nothing wrong or unlawful and the concerns raised by the Home Office against me are ill-founded. The widespread description of me as a ‘spy’ is entirely untrue.”
He claimed he was a victim of a “political climate” which had seen a rise in tensions between the UK and China.
“When relations are good, and Chinese investment is sought, I am welcome in the UK,” he said.
“When relations sour, an anti-China stance is taken, and I am excluded.”
Pressure had been mounting for Mr Yang to be named after last week’s court ruling.
Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, had threatened to use parliamentary privilege to reveal his identity in the House of Commons this afternoon if the anonymity order was not lifted.
Parliamentary privilege allows MPs to speak freely during parliamentary proceedings without fear of legal action.
On Friday, Prince Andrew said he “ceased all contact” with the Chinese businessman.
In a statement from his office, the Duke of York said he had cut ties following “advice” from officials but insisted the pair had never discussed anything of a “sensitive nature”.
Mr Yang had previously been pictured alongside former prime ministers – including David Cameron and Theresa May.
Both Lord Cameron and Lady May’s spokespeople told Sky News at the weekend they meet and are photographed with many people each year.
Guy Vassall-Adams KC, for Yang Tengbo, told the High Court: “There has been an enormous amount of media reporting in relation to this story, and particularly in relation to the relationship between my client, H6, and Prince Andrew, as well as a huge amount of speculation about the identity of my client.”
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