Teddy Young Navy service member Teddy Young, 24, from Bedfordshire, has been charged under the National Security Act with spying for an unnamed foreign country. He was arrested at his home address in Bedfordshire on Tuesday and has been remanded into custody.
Police allege the case covers conduct between 26 November 2024 and 21 May 2025. The charge also covers conduct in preparation for an offence involving disclosing protected information, with investigators alleging he obtained, copied, recorded or retained material intending it to benefit a foreign power.
Cdr Helen Flanagan statement
Cdr Helen Flanagan, who heads Counter-Terrorism Policing London, said: “These are very serious charges against a serving member of the armed forces”. She said the investigation worked closely with relevant operational colleagues within the Ministry of Defence to reduce risks linked to the matter.
A Royal Navy spokesperson said: “As legal proceedings are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.” The service member is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
RAF Fairford incident
Police said the charges are not related to the recent RAF Fairford incident. On Tuesday, a seventh man was arrested in connection with that case, which remains separate from the allegations against Young.
For readers following the security implications, the immediate issue is not the foreign country’s identity but the use of the National Security Act, which is designed to cover alleged conduct involving protected information and preparation for disclosure. Young now faces a court appearance while the military and counter-terror officers continue to manage the wider risk around the case.
