An alleged Chinese spy who forged a close relationship with Prince Andrew has been identified by a British court, the latest twist in a case that has shone a light on Beijing’s influence inside Britain’s institutions.

The businessman has been banned from Britain on security grounds but is understood to have visited Buckingham Palace and met two former Prime Ministers

Mr Yang said the description of him as a spy was "entirely untrue".

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.

LONDON: A Chinese national with close links to Prince Andrew said he had done nothing wrong and was not a spy, after the businessman was named in court as being a suspected Chinese agent by the B

The story has attracted attention as evidence of a potential national security threat from China and as another scandal that involves the prince’s relationships.

The man, identified on Monday as Yang Tengbo, after an anonymity order was lifted, said he wasn’t involved in espionage and had “done nothing wrong or unlawful.”