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.

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 British authorities.

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.

An alleged Chinese spy who became a close confidant of the Duke of York has been named as Yang Tengbo following a court ruling, as concerns grow over Beijing’s reach within British society.

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.

Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has called the alleged Chinese spy, who has been barred from entering the UK, the "tip of the iceberg". Sir Iain - who is applying for an urgent question in the Commons on China's influence - told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there are "many more" like the businessman,

Tom Tugendhat said members of the China’s Communist Party are currently ‘attempting to influence’ UK institutions