Royal Navy Service Member Charged With Spying for Foreign Power

A serving Royal Navy member has been charged under the National Security Act after police accused him of obtaining protected information with the intention of benefiting an unnamed foreign power.

Teddy Young, 24, from Bedfordshire, was arrested at his home on Tuesday and has been remanded in custody.

He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

The allegations relate to conduct between 26 November 2024 and 21 May 2025.

Serious national security allegations

Young faces offences under the National Security Act, including an allegation that he obtained protected information that could benefit a foreign power.

Police also allege that he engaged in conduct in preparation for disclosing protected information.

According to the charges, Young is accused of obtaining, copying, recording or retaining protected information while intending his actions to benefit a foreign power.

The prosecution alleges that he knew, or should reasonably have known, that the conduct could prejudice the safety or interests of the United Kingdom.

The identity of the foreign power has not been disclosed.

Police describe charges as serious

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter-Terrorism Policing London, described the allegations as “very serious charges against a serving member of the armed forces.”

She said police had worked closely with operational colleagues within the Ministry of Defence during the investigation.

That cooperation was intended to ensure appropriate measures could be taken to mitigate any potential risks arising from the investigation.

Police have not provided further details about the information allegedly obtained or how it may have been intended to benefit a foreign power.

Not connected to RAF Fairford investigation

Police have stressed that the case is not connected to the separate investigation into suspicious activity near RAF Fairford.

That investigation has resulted in a number of arrests, with a seventh man arrested on Tuesday.

Counter-terrorism officers continue to investigate that incident separately.

The distinction is important because the two cases involve different investigations.

Royal Navy confirms charge

A Royal Navy spokesperson confirmed that a serving member had been charged.

The service declined to comment further because legal proceedings are now under way.

The Ministry of Defence has been working with investigators as the case has developed.

What is the National Security Act?

The National Security Act 2023 introduced a series of offences designed to address threats to the UK's national security, including espionage and activities carried out for or on behalf of foreign powers.

The legislation includes offences relating to protected information and preparations to disclose such information.

The law was introduced as the UK sought to strengthen its response to changing national security threats.

However, being charged under the legislation does not establish guilt.

The allegations against Young will have to be tested through the criminal justice process.

What happens next?

Young is due before Westminster Magistrates' Court, where the initial legal proceedings will take place.

The court will consider the case before it progresses through the criminal justice system.

At this stage, police have not publicly identified the foreign power allegedly involved, nor disclosed the nature of the protected information at the centre of the allegations.

Those details may become clearer as the legal proceedings develop.

For now, Young remains in custody while the investigation and prosecution continue.

The allegations are serious, but they remain allegations and have not been proven in court.