Senior US soldier arrested by UK counter-terror police

A soldier in the US Army has been arrested on suspicion of offences under the National Security Act which relate to Russia, British counter-terror police have said. In a statement, Counter Terrorism Policing London said the man had been arrested under section one and section three of the National Security Act 2023. Section one of the Act relates to obtaining or disclosing protected information, while section three relates to assisting a foreign intelligence service.

The BBC understands the soldier was based at Imjin Barracks in Innsworth, Gloucestershire. The barracks serve as the headquarters of Nato's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps. FBI director Kash Patel said in a statement: "This important arrest involves allegations of espionage, which is of the utmost concern to the United States and our allies." Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, from Counter Terrorism Policing London, described the arrest as "significant".

He has been detained under the National Security Act 2023, allowing police to hold him without charge for up to 14 days.