Britainupdated 1h ago2 min read
UK Police Charge Teddy Young With Spying For Foreign Power, Royal Navy Member
Teddy Young, 24, Royal Navy Able Seaman, charged under the National Security Act. Accused of obtaining protected information and preparing to disclose for a foreign power.
Young Charged in Royal Navy
UK police charged Teddy Young, a 24-year-old Royal Navy member, with offences under the National Security Act for allegedly obtaining protected information and preparing to transfer it for the benefit of a foreign power. Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said, "These are very serious charges against a serving member of the armed forces," as police alleged the conduct took place between November 2024 and May 2025. Police said Young was arrested at his home in Bedfordshire and was due to appear at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court later on Thursday.
Police also said the case was not related to the ongoing investigation into an incident at the RAF Fairford airbase. A Royal Navy spokesperson confirmed the charges against a service member but declined to provide additional details out of respect for due process and the ongoing judiciary.
Court Dates and Allegations
Able Seaman Teddy Young appeared in the dock at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday after being charged under the National Security Act. The BBC said the allegations included translating a message into Russian and looking for a web portal that invited people to submit information to Russia. Police alleged that Young "obtained, copied, recorded or retained protected information, intending the conduct to benefit a foreign power" contrary to section 1 of the National Security Act 2023.
Judge Annabel Pilling remanded Young in custody and said the matters were too serious to be heard in that court and needed to be dealt with by a judge at the central criminal court. The BBC said Young will next appear at the Old Bailey on 16 October.
Ministry of Defence Coordination
Police said investigations were conducted in close coordination with the British Ministry of Defence to assess harm and mitigate any potential risks arising from the alleged leak. Commander Helen Flanagan told police, "We have worked extremely closely with relevant operational colleagues within the Ministry of Defence" as the investigation progressed. The BBC said Young was the first member of the armed forces to be charged under the new National Security Act 2023.
Police clarified that the charges were not related to the RAF Fairford incident, where counter-terror police investigated suspicious activity near the base and arrested seven men. The BBC said Young was formally charged with engaging in conduct in preparation for disclosing protected information, and obtaining, copying, recording or retaining protected information, intending the conduct to benefit a foreign power.