Duke’s request to address security concerns reportedly scrapped amid ongoing spy scandal
Prince Andrew has reportedly suffered another setback as a crucial meeting he requested with the head of MI5 was abruptly cancelled, deepening his isolation amid the ongoing spy controversy.
According to The Telegraph, the Duke of York had sought a face-to-face meeting with Sir Ken McCallum, the director general of MI5, to discuss the national security concerns tied to his former associate, Yang Tengbo — an alleged Chinese spy.
The controversy erupted last year when Yang, a close confidant of Andrew, was identified as being involved in a potential espionage operation, triggering alarm within the intelligence community and causing embarrassment for the royal family.
As the situation escalated, the Duke reportedly pressed for the meeting to better understand the agency’s concerns. However, the scheduled discussion was cancelled at the last minute, with no plans to reschedule. Sources claim the meeting was called off after former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a surprise general election, which redirected MI5’s attention.
The cancellation is seen as another major blow to Andrew, whose links to Yang have further strained his relationship with the royal family. The fallout already saw him withdraw from the family’s annual Christmas Walk in 2024.
The meeting, had it gone ahead, would have been considered highly unusual given Yang’s ongoing investigation and her close ties to the disgraced Duke — adding yet another layer of tension to Andrew’s already fragile public standing.
