Suspected spy arrested trying to fly out of Britain

A RUSSIAN citizen has been arrested on suspicion of spying as he tried to board a flight leaving the UK.

The man, who is in his 40s, was detained by counter-terrorism police at Gatwick airport on Monday, accused of breaking the Official Secrets Act. He was taken to a police station in west London for questioning.

The arrest is understood to have been made after a joint operation by Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism police and the British intelligence services.

The suspect can be held for up to 96 hours before he is either freed or charged.

It is not thought the suspected spy posed an imminent threat to UK national security. But his detention will further ratchet up tensions between London and Moscow.

It is understood police were aware the man was attempting to leave the UK and waited for him at the airport. There are currently no direct flights between the UK and Russia and it is unclear where he was travelling to.

The Metropolitan Police said the man continued to be questioned on suspicion of offences under Section One of the Act, which relates to information within notes, plans or sketches that may be useful to an enemy.