The news follows reports in December that the 28-year-old, part of the team which won the 2014 European 4x400 metres relay competition, had allegedly tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol.

This is primarily used to treat asthma and other breathing disorders but has been used for performance-enhancing purposes in the past.

A UKA statement read: "UK Athletics has announced that athlete Nigel Levine has been provisionally suspended from participating in athletics after being charged with having committed an anti-doping rule violation contrary to International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Anti-Doping Rule Article 2.1 (Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete's Sample).

"The provisional suspension was issued by UK Anti-Doping and is in accordance with the International Association of IAAF Anti-Doping Rules.

"The individual now has the opportunity to respond to the charge against him including the right to a full hearing of the case."

It had previously been announced in November that three-time world indoor relay medallist and two-time Olympian Levine had been retained on the UKA's World Class Performance Programme after making good progress following a serious motorbike crash in January 2017, in which he broke his pelvis.

It is understood that Levine uses Robert Wagner, the man at the centre of the latest Justin Gatlin controversy, as a race agent.

In September last year, Levine tweeted his happiness at being due to receive a World Championship bronze medal as a result of a reallocation due to the Russian doping crisis.