Prince Andrew bragged about Chinese state-owned bank ‘making exception’ for him 15 years ago, leaked email reveals
PRINCE Andrew boasted about a Chinese state-owned bank making “an exception” for him, it is claimed.
A leaked email reportedly shows the Duke of York, 64, was given preferential treatment and allowed to open an account with the Bank of China in 2008.
The account is understood to have been based in China and would have allowed Andrew to take payments for business deals outside of the glare of UK authorities.
The revelation puts further pressure on the duke to fully disclose his dealings with China.
It comes after the Sun reported last week a suspected Chinese spy knew how to sneak people in and out of the duke’s Royal Lodge home.
Yang Tengbo, 50 – who is understood to have been a “close confidante” of Andrew’s – was banned from Britain as a threat to national security.
During a tribunal hearing, judges concluded Yang had not been honest about his links to the Chinese state and could exploit his relationship with the duke and other public figures.
Yang was a founding member of Pitch@Palace in China, a business venture launched by Andrew in 2016.
However, with the leaked email showing he planned to open the secret account more than 15 years ago, there’s a suggestion his business interests in China date much further back.
Seen by The Telegraph, the email was sent on January 12 2008 to a British financier.
Andrew wrote: “Just thought you’d like to know that I have been allowed to have a bank account in The Bank of China. I don’t know all the details yet but it seems to be happening.
“Normally you have to present yourself in person but they will make an exception for me.
“Might be useful… That’s all for now.”
The email was signed off “The Duke of York” and sent from his BlackBerry phone.
A leaked diplomatic cable from Sir Sebastian Wood – the UK’s China ambassador – in April 2010 also reveals Andrew’s plans to regularly visit the country.
It’s understood UK intelligence agencies are investigating the alleged money trail linking Yang to the United Front Work Department, an arm of the Chinese Communist Party.
In October 2007 – months before the leaked email – as the UK’s then-trade envoy, Andrew visited the Bank of China’s offices in Shanghai.
Writing for the Sun on Sunday, Mr Dampier said earlier this week Andrew must reveal the source of the money that enables him to stay at Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate.
The disgraced duke lost his annual £3million-a-year hand-out from brother Charles, which funded guards at his home.
We previously revealed the King axed the cash for Andrew, who does not work but has links to oligarchs.
And last month reported he has negotiated a cheaper protection deal at his leased home which he refuses to leave.
His plan is believed to be bankrolled by Middle East money.
COMMENT: Spy scandal more damaging than Epstein for Andrew
The prince’s biographer Andrew Lownie told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show this week the spy scandal is “probably the most damaging”.
He said: “It’s more damaging than Epstein. I think the story is going to run right through next year.
“He’s always been much more vulnerable to the financial scandals in his life than the sexual ones.
“These stories haven’t really been investigated. It’s going to have to lead to greater transparency about royal finances.
“This has unlocked a whole series of events that I think are going to be very damaging to the monarchy.
“This is going to give fresh impetus to journalists to look into his financial affairs and how he affords to live in Royal Lodge.
“A lot more is still to come out. A lot has already come out in the past week about his activities.
“It’s the tip of the iceberg. He’s been scrounging money off people in the Middle East and Central Asia.
“When those stories come out, I think he’s going to be complete toast.
“The danger is that he’s going to bring the royal family down with him.”