British Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said on Thursday that Britain welcomed investment from the United Arab Emirates but deals would always be subject to Britain's national security regime.

"I very much welcome investment from the UAE," Dowden said.

He added: "Any investment from any state needs to be subject to our national security and investment regime"

Reuters had earlier reported that the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company considered buying Britain's BP but did not progress beyond preliminary discussions.

(Reporting by Alistair Smout, writing by Farouq Suleiman, editing by William James)