Serving Royal Navy Member Faces 'Very Serious Charges' After Allegedly Spying for an Unnamed Foreign Power

A serving Royal Navy member has been charged under the National Security Act with allegedly obtaining protected information intended to benefit an unnamed foreign power, Counter Terrorism Policing London said on Thursday.

Teddy Young, 24, from Bedfordshire, is accused of offences police say were prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom. Young was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Thursday.

Royal Navy Member Charged After Tuesday Arrest

Young was arrested at his home in Bedfordshire on Tuesday and then taken into custody in London. Police say the two charges cover a period between 26 November 2024 and 21 May 2025.

The first charge alleges he engaged in conduct 'in preparation for committing an offence of disclosing protected information', contrary to section 18 of the National Security Act 2023. The second alleges he 'obtained, copied, recorded or retained protected information'. It says he intended this to benefit a foreign power.

Police say he knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that it was prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom. That charge falls under section 1 of the same Act.

The allegations focus on preparing to disclose information and on obtaining or retaining it. Young is not charged with actually passing anything on.

What Police and the Navy Have Said

Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, called the case serious. 'These are very serious charges against a serving member of the armed forces,' she said.

She added that officers had worked closely with the Ministry of Defence as the inquiry developed. 'We have worked extremely closely with relevant operational colleagues within the Ministry of Defence as our investigation has progressed to ensure appropriate measures could be taken to mitigate any potential risks linked to this matter,' she said.

She also urged restraint. 'It is important now that any further speculation on this case is avoided and so that the case can progress through the courts and the justice process not be impeded in any way,' Flanagan said.

A Royal Navy spokesperson confirmed that a member of the service had been charged with National Security Act offences following the police investigation. 'As legal proceedings are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage,' the spokesperson said.

Separate From the RAF Fairford Inquiry

Police have said the case is not connected to the recent RAF Fairford incident. That investigation followed reports of suspicious activity near the base and has led to a number of arrests. A seventh man was arrested on Tuesday and counter-terrorism officers are continuing their inquiries.

US officials have said the Fairford incident involved a potential Iranian drone attack. Police have not linked it to Young's case.

Reuters, which reported the Fairford details, also noted that police did not name the foreign power in Young's case. Neither the Metropolitan Police nor the Royal Navy has commented on his role or rank.

It is not yet known what information Young is alleged to have accessed. Public court documents released so far do not specify the material and the hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court is not expected to resolve that question.