Markus Andrews

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreWatch as Labour answers an urgent question on Israel and Gaza on Thursday, 6 February, after Donald Trump claimed that the US will “take over” the territory.On Tuesday, the US president said his nation would “take over the Gaza Strip” with a “long-term ownership position” – estimating that about 1.8 million of the near-2.3 million Palestinians living in Gaza would have to be relocated to achieve his vision of turning what he called a “hell hole” into “the Riviera of the Middle East”.Thirty-eight Labour MPs wrote to Sir Keir Starmer demanding the prime minister take a stand against the Republican’s “ethnic cleansing” of Gaza in the biggest public backlash within the party against the prime minister since Labour won the election.The PM did not directly address Mr Trump’s comments when he was confronted on the issue during Prime Minister’s Questions but Downing Street later confirmed Sir Keir planned to talk to the US president over the shock plans. More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreBritain will oppose any attempts to forcibly remove Palestinians from Gaza, a Foreign Office minister has said, confirming for the first time that the government will block Donald Trump’s controversial plans for the enclave. Development minister Anneliese Dodds said the future of Gaza must be determined by Palestinians with the support of neighbouring countries and the international community. And, in a rebuke to the US president, Ms Dodds said: “We would oppose any effort to move Palestinians in Gaza to neighbouring Arab states against their will.Anneliese Dodds said Palestinian civilians should be able to return to Gaza and rebuild their homes and lives (Ben Whitley/PA) More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreRachel Reeves has been dragged into the row over Sir Keir Starmer’s meeting with his voice coach while Covid restrictions were in place in late 2020. Sir Keir furiously hit back at “partying” Tories as he was again pressed on claims he broke lockdown rules during the pandemic. The row is over whether actor Leonie Mellinger would have been allowed to advise the Labour leader in person during tier 4 lockdown as the country closed for Christmas.Sir Keir has faced intense pressure on the issue because of the way he pursued former prime minister Boris Johnson over Partygate activities in Downing Street.Keir Starmer hit back at ‘partying’ Tories More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreNigel Farage has claimed that Donald Trump’s administration will impose tariffs on the UK because of Keir Starmer’s attempts to give the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.But Downing Street has hit back stating the allegation is “codswallop”.The claim came during in a Reform UK press conference following an urgent question in Parliament on the bid to return the islands to Mauritius.During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir insisted that those privy to national security advice would know why the controversial deal needs to go forward. But Mr Farage suggested that that advice, coming from national security adviser Jonathan Powell, was based on “lies”.It came as the prime minister of Mauritius, Navin Ramgoolam, issued an urgent clarification correcting claims the price of leasing back the UK/US airbase on the islands had doubled to £18 billion.Nigel Farage (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA) More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreAn 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.The 50-year-old businessman had been known as H6 until a judge lifted an anonymity order just ahead of an urgent question on the scandal from former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith.MPs had threatened to use parliamentary privilege to reveal Mr Yang’s identity following accusations that he had become close to Prince Andrew in an effort to gain influence, and that he had helped the United Front Work Department – an arm of the Chinese Communist Party.Yang Tengbo pictured with Prince Andrew More

Sir Keir admits concerns over challenges China poses to the UKYour support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreAn alleged Chinese spy banned from the UK and linked to the Duke of York can now be named as Yang Tengbo, a High Court judge has ruled.The 50-year-old director of a Chinese investment consultancy firm was barred from the UK in 2023 after it was deemed he would likely threaten national security. A High Court judge has now lifted an anonymity order so he can now be identified.The suspect is said to have become a “close” confidant of the Duke of York and has also been pictured with senior politicians including Lord David Cameron and Baroness Theresa May.Former Conservative leader Sir Ian Duncan Smit told the House of Commons Tengbo “was not a lone wolf”.“He was one of some 40,000 members of the United Works Department, which the intelligence security committee report last year said and I quote ‘are known to government, had penetrated every sector of the UK economy, spying, stealing intellectual property, influencing and shaping our institutions,” he said. Security minister Dan Jarvis said the government will not hesitate to use “every tool at our disposal” to keep the UK safe. Prince Andrew to step away from King’s private Norfolk residenceIt is understood Andrew will stay away from the King’s private Norfolk residence after the controversy surrounding alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo, who was banned from the UK and had forged links to the Duke of York.It is not yet known whether the duke will attend Charles’s traditional pre-Christmas lunch for the extended family on Thursday, which is expected to be held at Buckingham Palace.Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie had already planned to spend Christmas with their respective in-laws this year for the first time.Jabed Ahmed17 December 2024 02:00Watchdog probe urged into alleged Chinese spy linked to Duke of YorkA spy watchdog has been urged at Westminster to investigate an alleged Chinese secret agent linked to the Duke of York and other espionage claims levelled at Beijing.Speaking in Parliament, as peers approved nominations for the ISC, which oversees the work of the UK’s spy agencies, Labour former minister Lord Foulkes of Cumnock said: “I wonder if it would be appropriate at this time to ask if it would be possible for the Intelligence and Security Committee to conduct an investigation into H6 and all the allegations of spying from China?”Responding, leader of the Lords Baroness Smith of Basildon, said: “I don’t think it’s for the Lord Privy Seal to instruct the Intelligence and Security Committee on their business or how they conduct it but I am sure they will have taken note of the reports and are fully aware of the situation and will do whatever is appropriate.”Jabed Ahmed17 December 2024 01:00Yang Tengbo statement in full: Suspected Chinese spy breaks silence after being named at heart of scandalJabed Ahmed16 December 2024 23:59What we know so far about the alleged Chinese spy with links to AndrewHere is what we know about the businessman so far:Mr Yang – who is also known as Chris Yang – was born on 21 March 1974, according to information from Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC). He studied at university in China and then worked as a junior civil servant in China for a number of years. Mr Yang came to the UK in 2002, studying language in London for one year, then taking a master’s degree at the University of York in Public Administration and Public Policy. Since at least 2005, Mr Yang has divided his time between the two countries, then was granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK in 2013. He is listed as a director of Hampton Group International, a business consultancy which says it acts as a bridge between China and the rest of the world. Mr Yang was the founder-partner of Pitch@Palace China. The Pitch@Palace initiative was the Duke of York’s scheme to support entrepreneurs.Jabed Ahmed16 December 2024 23:29British Company founded by Yang Tengbo issues statementThe Hampton Group, a British company founded by Yang Tengbo, has issued a statement following the high court ruling.The statement read: “Hampton Group is a British company employing a small number of British and Chinese nationals with the right to work in the UK. The company operates to high standards of governance and compliance according to international best practices. We pay tax in the UK and are proud to have made a positive impact on the UK economy through our work.“Neither Hampton Group or any of its staff or associates have ever been involved in any covert intelligence gathering on behalf of the Chinese Government, or any other state. Hampton Group in the UK will continue to support its clients, helping them to achieve their commercial goals.”The Hampton Group provides consulting and events services to British and Chinese companies. Tengbo is not involved in the day-to-day operations of the UK business, the company said.Jabed Ahmed16 December 2024 23:00Watch: Sir Keir Starmer urges Western allies to ‘double-down’ in support of UkraineSir Keir Starmer urges Western allies to ‘double-down’ in support of UkraineJabed Ahmed16 December 2024 22:28Watch: Alleged spy Yang Tengbo appears on Chinese state TV alongside portraits of British PMsAlleged spy Yang Tengbo appears on Chinese state TV alongside portraits of British PMsJabed Ahmed16 December 2024 21:59ICYMI: Every MP will have been contacted by Chinese agents, shadow home secretary warns Every MP will likely have been contacted by Chinese agents “at some point”, the Conservatives’ shadow home secretary has warned.Chris Philp told the Commons: “Chinese infiltration of public organisations is of grave concern but it’s not just public organisations such as Government; it’s also businesses and universities that are being systemically infiltrated, and often intellectual property theft is at the heart of what the Chinese government are trying to achieve.“When I was technology minister, I saw this in areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing and others.”He added: “Last year, the head of MI5 Ken McCallum said that Chinese activity seeking to infiltrate our institutions is – and I quote – on an ‘epic scale’.“Last year, there were multiple attempts by Chinese companies to get hold of sensitive technology and MI5 estimate that 20,000 individuals have been approached by Chinese agents who are trying to influence them or forge contacts in some way, and it’s likely that, at some point either in the past or in the future, every member of this House will be contacted or attempted to be contacted in one form or another.”Security minister Dan Jarvis replied that it is “completely unacceptable that any entity, whether they be a hostile state or other, seeks to draw intellectual property out of our country”.He reiterated that on the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (Firs), the Government would “lay the regulations as soon as practically possible in the New Year, with a view to having the scheme up and running by the summer”.Jabed Ahmed16 December 2024 21:28Pictured: Yang Tengbo and Prince Andrew( More