Prince Andrew is the centre of the new scandal (Image: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
’s friends appear to have defended the duke after he has become
The Duke of York, 64, hit headlines again last week for all the wrong reasons after it was confirmed he had been friends with Chinese businessman Yang Tengbo – formally known in court as H6 – who is now believed to have been a suspected spy.
While Mr Tengbo has denied the accusations of acting as a spy, with him from the moment concerns were first raised by the Government.
However, Andrew’s previous friendship with Mr Tengbo – which even saw the businessman invited to the duke’s 60th birthday party and various royal palaces – has left Andrew in a difficult situation.
As well as the duke having to change his Christmas plans, opting to now at Sandringham, it is also likely to have caused some tension within the family, with Andrew’s friends insisting the situation is not his fault.
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His office said that Andrew only met the suspected spy on official business and is not the only one to have seen him, with two former British prime ministers – David Cameron and Theresa May – having also been in contact with the businessman.
The offices of the former prime ministers insisted these meetings were just standard meet-and-greets.
, believed to be a friend of the duke, said: “This guy clearly operated with impunity in the U.K. for years, meeting PMs. That’s not Andrew’s fault, it’s the security services.”
A friend of the duke also told : “If it is true that the duke was targeted by this man and that this man in turn was on maneuvers in some way, I don’t see how that can be a criticism of the Duke rather than a criticism of Chinese operatives. It’s a bit mystifying.”
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Prince Andrew will reportedly not be at Sandringham this year (Image: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
’s last week after it became public knowledge that he had been a confidante of the Chinese suspected spy.
His office said: “The Duke of York followed advice from HMG (His Majesty’s Government) and ceased all contact with the individual after concerns were raised.
“The duke met the individual through official channels, with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed. He is unable to comment further on matters relating to national security.”
It is also believed on the matter.