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A man has been arrested on suspicion of assisting Russian intelligence services under the National Security Act, police have said.

Howard Michael Phillips, 64, from Harlow in Essex, was charged on Thursday with an offence contrary to section 3 of the Act - which "relates to Russia", according to the Metropolitan Police.

Section 3 of the National Security Act outlaws assisting a foreign intelligence service.

A Metropolitan Police statement said: "On Thursday, May 16, a 64-year-old man was arrested in central London.

"He was arrested and detained under section 27 of the National Security Act 2023.

"A warrant of further detention was obtained at Westminster Magistrates' Court meaning he could be detained up until Thursday, May 23, and following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the CPS authorised the charge as above.

"As part of the investigation, which is being led by officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, officers also searched an address in the Hertfordshire area and an address in the Essex area. Both searches are now complete.

"The arrest is not connected to any other recent charges or investigations linked to NSA offences, and there is not believed to be any threat to the wider public in connection with this matter."

MORE ON FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE IN THE UK:

China furious after three people arrested for 'spying for Hong Kong' in counter-terrorism sting
Two men charged with spying for China following counter terror investigation
Three people charged under National Security Act with assisting Hong Kong's intelligence service

The news follows comments by Defence Secretary Grant Shapps decrying Russian-backed activity in the UK.

In April, Shapps said: "Anyone found guilty of assisting a foreign intelligence service will be held to account.

"The UK will never be deterred from backing Ukraine by Russia’s futile attempts to shake our resolve."

More to follow...

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