A Sussex backpacker is being held by police in Malaysia after he was arrested near the country's military headquarters.

Graeme Parker, 32, from East Sussex, was detained after military police found him near the military museum inside the ministry compound in Kuala Lumpur.

Mr Parker has been travelling the world and has not returned home for several years.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said yesterday he had not been charged with any offence.

Mr Parker was seized at the Malaysian Armed Forces Museum on Thursday night.

Conditions She said: "He is still being held in prison in Kuala Lumpur. Our High Commissioner's staff were visiting him yesterday. We will know more once the High Commissioner has reported back.

"He could be held for 14 days without charge under Malaysian law. We will be checking on his circumstances and his conditions and asking him whether he wants us to inform a lawyer if he is charged."

She said it was not known on what legal grounds Mr Parker was arrested but trespassing was a possible charge.

Malaysia's news agency, Bernama, said Mr Parker was holding a camera and wearing slippers and a T-shirt when he was arrested.

It quoted defence minister Najib Tun Razak as saying: "It is too premature to say the Briton was spying. Based on several preliminary facts it will be difficult for us to conclude that he is a spy.

"Even if he were a spy, he will be a foolish one, based on his actions."