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."