A UK embassy staff member in Berlin, Germany was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of spying for Russia. 

The detainment of the 57-year-old UK national followed a joint operation by German police and UK security services. 

London's Metropolitan Police Service confirmed its counterterrorism section was involved in the investigation. 

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German federal police have not shared much information, but said a man named only as David S (the full name was withheld because of privacy laws) was arrested for allegedly handing documents and information to Russian intelligence services in exchange for cash payments.

The suspect was arrested in the town of Potsdam, just outside the Berlin city limits.

German Foreign Ministry Spokesman Christofer Burger told reporters his department was taking the case "very seriously," adding that "espionage by a close alliance partner on German soil is unacceptable."

The Russian embassy in Berlin has so far declined to comment on news of the arrest.

Cover picture: File photo of Berlin /AP/Markus Schreiber