Businessman banned from Britain on security grounds believed to have also visited St James’s Palace and Windsor Castle

A London immigration court upheld a ban on a Chinese citizen described as a “close confidant” of the prince’s, on the grounds of national security.

In a statement from his office, Andrew, also known as the Duke of York, said he accepted government advice and ceased all contact with the Chinese national as soon as concerns were raised.

Britain's Prince Andrew was facing intense media scrutiny on Saturday after revelations that a close Chinese business associate of the scandal-hit younger brother of King Charles was thought by the British government to be a Chinese spy.

Prince Andrew knew an alleged Chinese spy for 10 years before the Duke of York “dropped” him, it has been claimed. The pair met in 2012, but it was not until 2022 that security services discovered the former Chinese businessman,

The Duke of York's office has said he "ceased all contact" with the businessman accused of being a Chinese spy after receiving advice from the government.In a statement to PA news agency, his office said Prince Andrew had met the man "through official channels" and there was "nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed".

A man accused of being a spy for China was said to have been a “close confidant” of the King’s younger brother.

A Chinese businessman with close links to Prince Andrew, Duke of York, has had his appeal against being barred from Britain on national security grounds denied.

The disgraced Duke of York's former staffer, who has not been named and is only known as his "close confidant," has been banned from entering the UK.