UK Navy Serviceman Charged With Spying for a Foreign Country

A serving member of the Royal Navy has been charged with National Security Act offenses over allegations he spied for a foreign country, counter terror police said.

Teddy Young, 24, was arrested at his home on Wednesday and charged with engaging in conduct to prepare “for committing an offense of disclosing protected information” to a foreign power, London’s Metropolitan Police Service said in an emailed statement.

Sky News reported that the country in question is Russia and will be revealed at a London court hearing later on Thursday.

“These are very serious charges against a serving member of the armed forces,” said Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London. The police have worked closely with “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.”

The charges — which don’t specify the foreign country — are not related to the investigation into a suspected terror plot targetting RAF Fairford, the police said.

The charges are:

• Between November 16, 2024 and May 21, 2025 engaged in conduct in preparation for committing an offense of disclosing protected information, contrary to section 18 of the National Security Act 2023
• Between November 26, 2024 and May 21, 2025 obtained, copied, recorded or retained protected information, intending the conduct to benefit a foreign power, knowing or having regard to other matters known to him ought reasonably to know was prejudicial to the safety or interests of the UK, contrary to section 1 of the National Security Act 2023