China has launched a furious attack on the UK over its handling of the Prince Andrew “spy” row.
The country’s embassy urged the UK to “immediately stop creating trouble [and] stop anti-China political manipulations”.
It comes after it was revealed that Yang Tengbo, a former close confidant of the Prince, had been accused of spying for Beijing and banned from entering the UK.
He has denied the accusations and insisted he “loves” Britain.
In a statement posted on X, the Chinese embassy hit out at “the anti-China clamours made by a handful of UK MPs” who have demanded that the communist state be designated as a “threat” to Britain.
“They have done nothing but fully revealed their twisted mentality towards China, as well as their arrogance and shamelessness,” an embassy spokesperson said.
“This is a typical case of a thief crying ‘catch thief’. What they are really up to is to smear China, target against the Chinese community in the UK and under- mine normal personnel exchanges between China and the UK. We strongly condemn this.”
He added: “We always believe that a sound and stable China-UK relationship is not a one-sided favour but what meets the common interests of both sides.
“The UK side must have a right perception of China, see the historical trend clearly, and handle its relations with China on the basis of mutual respect, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit.
“We urge the UK side to immediately stop creating trouble, stop anti-China political manipulations, and stop undermining normal personnel exchanges between China and the UK.”
But Keir Starmer’s official spokesman defended the government’s approach to dealing with China.
He said: “Our approach to this is always rooted in the national interest and national security, and where we encounter foreign interference or espionage ... we will always use all the available tools at our disposal to keep the country safe.”