US soldier arrested in Britain on suspicion of assisting Russian intelligence

A senior member of the US Army was arrested Tuesday in England on suspicion of espionage related to Russia, counterterror police said.

The 41-year-old, who was not named, was arrested near Gloucester on suspicion of violating two sections of the National Security Act 2023 – for assisting a foreign intelligence service and obtaining or disclosing protected information.

The Metropolitan Police said its counter-terror forces worked closely with the FBI and US military.

FBI Director Kash Patel called it an “important arrest" dealing with allegations of espionage that are of “utmost concern” for the US and its allies.

“This FBI has no tolerance for anyone who breaks their oath to the United States and whose actions endanger our national security and that of our partners," Patel said.

Searches were underway at two locations in Gloucestershire, a county about 90 miles (140 kilometers) west of London.

Read moreUS withdraws B-1 bombers from British military base RAF Fairford amid security concerns

The suspect was detained and remains in custody at a London police station. Police said the arrest was not related to other counter-terror investigations, indicating it wasn’t connected with a suspected terror plot linked to Iran in September at a US-run base in Britain, RAF Fairford, near Gloucester.

After the threat, the US Air Force withdrew from RAF Fairford bombers that had been used to strike Iran during the Middle East conflict.

Read moreRussia demands France release woman arrested for suspected espionage

On Monday, the US removed refuelling aircraft from a British airbase ​in the second such apparent evacuation in three months.

Planes left the Royal Air Force base in Mildenhall, eastern England on Monday which – according ​to the Wall Street Journal – was prompted by a threat ​from Iran.