UK-based American soldier suspected of spying for Russia named by US military

A senior American army officer arrested in the UK on suspicion of spying for Russia has been named by the US military.

Lt Col Brandon Carroll Tyner joined up in 2008 as a senior human resources officer, and has since deployed overseas to Iraq, Qatar and Afghanistan, the authorities have confirmed.

The 41-year-old was identified after British counter-terror police secured more time to question him.

He can now be held in custody until Tuesday November 17, after a warrant of further detention was obtained.

He was arrested near Gloucester on Tuesday this week.

FBI director Kash Patel said: the arrest ‘involves allegations of espionage’ (Alamy/PA)

It has been reported he was based at Imjin Barracks, in Innsworth, Gloucestershire, which is home to the headquarters of Nato’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.

He was detained on suspicion of offences under sections 1 and 3 of the National Security Act 2023, which cover obtaining or disclosing protected information and assisting a foreign intelligence service.

Police said the country to which the allegations relate is Russia.

FBI director Kash Patel said at the time of the arrest that it involved “allegations of espionage, which is of the utmost concern to the United States and our allies”.

He said: “While this investigation is continuing, I want to send a clear message – 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.”

As part of the investigation, officers carried out searches at two locations in Gloucestershire.

A Kremlin spokesman has denied Russia has any links to the US officer.

Dmitry Peskov said: “This arrest does not concern us in any way. We don’t know what it’s connected to.

“We have nothing to do with this and it has nothing to do with us.”