Is this why Her Majesty’s so angry? China ‘tried to smuggle a spy into Queen’s carriage’ during state visit
Met Commander confirmed diplomatic incident in footage from palace garden party
A CHINESE spy posing as an interpreter tried to slip into the Queen’s personal carriage during last year’s state visit.
Appearing to confirm the story, Met Commander Lucy D’Orsi, who oversaw the visit, was caught on camera at a Buckingham Palace garden party this week saying: “Well they also wanted to come in your carriage with the interpreter.”
The Queen seemed to be well aware of the incident which saw the diplomatic protection squad forced to intercept the man as he tried to blag his way into her carriage.
When the ruse was rumbled, it led to a furious exchange.
One source told the : “The bodyguard, or spy, attempted to get in the carriage and was prevented when it was ascertained by our security officials that he was actually a security official rather than the official translator.
“In other words, they were trying to get someone dodgy into the carriage alongside the president and the Queen.”
A senior Tory said: “There was a stand-off and our protection people were shouldered aside.
“There’s an issue here about bullying, uncomprehending Chinese police. This security should be done by us, not them.”
The incident, first reported in October, resurfaced this week after the exchange between Commander D’Orsi and the Queen was picked up by her official cameraman.
It is believed the comments were only picked up because her clear plastic umbrella amplified her voice towards the microphone.
The Queen caused a diplomatic storm when she accused the Chinese officials of being “very rude” and commiserated with the high ranking Met Officer for having the handle the state visit.
Last night it emerged Commander D’Orsi was put up for a commendation because the job of overseeing the visit had been so taxing.
Sources told senior officers had been keen to recognise the demands and difficulties of handling the visit.
In the end she was not given the award because it was ultimately considered to be the job of a high-ranking officer.
In Beijing yesterday, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry said: “President Xi’s visit to the UK last year was a very successful one.
“Both sides have made great efforts for the success of the visit and the two sides highly recognised that.”
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