British man charged with helping Russian intelligence after arrest in London

A man in London has been charged with assisting Russian intelligence following counter-terror investigation.

Howard Michael Phillips, 64, was arrested in central on May 16 under suspicion of being involved with a foreign power, according to the Met Police.

The man from Harlow has today been charged under the National Security Act

Section 3 of the act, under which he has been charged, relates to ‘conduct that is likely to materially assist a foreign intelligence service in carrying out UK-related activities’.

Phillips is due to appear in Westminster Magistrates’ Court this afternoon.

Officers raided addresses in Hertfordshire and Essex as part of the investigation led by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.

Details of the charges are yet to be released to the public.

But is not believed to be linked with any other recent charges or investigations involving national security offences.

No threat is posed to the wider public in relation to the charges brought against Phillips, the Met said.

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