Key facts
- The man, 41, was arrested on suspicion of offences under section 1 and section 3 of the National Security Act 2023.
- Counter Terrorism Policing said it worked closely with US authorities, the US military and the FBI.
- The man remains in custody at a London police station, Counter Terrorism Policing London said.
- FBI director Kash Patel said the arrest involves allegations of espionage.
- Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said the allegations were serious and the investigation was ongoing.
British counter-terrorism police arrested a 41-year-old member of the US Army near Gloucester on Tuesday, on suspicion of offences under the National Security Act 2023, the Metropolitan Police said. The force said the allegations related to Russia. It gave no further detail on the allegations, the man's identity or his unit.
Counter Terrorism Policing London said the man was arrested on suspicion of offences under section 1 and section 3 of the National Security Act 2023. It said the investigation was carried out working closely with US authorities, the US military and the FBI. The man remains in custody at a London police station.
As part of the investigation, officers were carrying out searches at two locations in Gloucestershire, the Metropolitan Police said.
FBI director Kash Patel said in a statement that the arrest involves allegations of espionage. "This important arrest involves allegations of espionage, which is of the utmost concern to the United States and our allies," Patel said.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, from Counter Terrorism Policing, described the arrest as "significant". "The allegations are serious and our investigation is very much ongoing," she said.