Britain’s semi-secret immigration court recently made public additional documents that suggest Prince Andrew’s involvement with a suspected Chinese spy was driven by his eagerness to rebuild his reputation post a disastrous BBC interview in 2019.
The Special Immigration Appeals Commission disclosed the witness statement of royal aide Dominic Hampshire, who had a hand in setting up meetings between Prince Andrew and the alleged spy, Chinese businessman Tengbo Yang. The statement, which was initially confidential, was released following requests from news outlets asserting it was of public interest.
In the released witness statement, Hampshire revealed, “After the Newsnight interview and in the following few months, it was clear that the duke’s reputation was irrecoverable.”
“This was a common feeling within the royal household, despite what the duke thought may happen.
“It was very clear internally within the royal household that we would have to look at options for the duke’s future away from royal duties,” he said.
Andrew, also known as the Duke of York, has said that he accepted government advice and ceased all contact with the Chinese national as soon as concerns were raised.
