Accused Ex-Cop Rejects Spy Charges, Emphasizes Loyalty to UK
Billy Yuen, a 64-year-old retired police officer from Dalston, East London, fiercely denies allegations that he operated a spy ring on behalf of the Chinese government. In a candid statement to authorities, Yuen described himself as “quite a boring guy,” dismissing espionage claims as baseless.
Yuen insists his return to the workforce was driven solely by domestic boredom after retirement, explaining, “My wife was fed up of having me around the house.” He added with conviction, “Hand on my heart, I have nothing to hide.”
Spy Ring Allegations and Roles
At the Old Bailey, prosecutors allege Yuen managed the spy network from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) located in Bedford Square, central London. He is accused of directing Peter Wai, a 39-year-old former UK Border Force officer from Staines, Surrey, to surveil political dissidents in the UK and pursue a £16 million debt owed to a Chinese businesswoman.
Yuen’s Deep UK Connections
Yuen expressed profound affection for the UK, emphasizing his 37-year service with the Royal Hong Kong Police Force. “I established close ties with the UK,” he told investigators. “If you ask me which place I love more, I love the UK. I’m not telling lies.” He acknowledged fondness for Hong Kong but prioritized the UK as his home.
He highlighted his family’s strong British ties: his daughter began studying in Britain in 2009, followed by his son in 2012, with his wife joining later. After retiring in 2015, Yuen reunited with them in the UK. Despite receiving a monthly pension of approximately £4,600 and owning property in Hong Kong, he felt compelled to find work at his wife’s urging.
From Retirement to Office Manager
“My wife was not used to seeing me doing nothing at home and forced me to get a job,” he explained. Although skeptical about employment prospects, Yuen answered a job advertisement in a Chinatown free newspaper for an office manager at the HKETO.
As “administrative division head,” Yuen managed the office housed in a historic 266-year-old Bedford Square building. His responsibilities included staff recruitment and financial oversight.
Yuen’s Police Career and Connection to Wai
In Hong Kong, Yuen advanced to superintendent, serving in the Marine headquarters and later developing traffic unit technology. He met Wai serendipitously after leaving a Chinatown restaurant, where a friend introduced Wai, praising him as a fellow police superintendent.
Wai, who served as a special constable for the City of London Police, claimed to run a “security consultancy business.” Yuen hired him to provide close protection for the HKETO. The two men developed a friendship through this collaboration.
Charges and Trial Status
Both Yuen and Wai deny charges under the National Security Act 2023 of assisting Chinese intelligence through information gathering, surveillance, and deception. Wai also faces accusations of misconduct in public office for allegedly conducting unauthorized searches of Home Office databases.
The trial is ongoing.
