A member of the British Royal Navy is set to appear in court in London on Thursday to face charges of espionage for an undisclosed foreign entity. Teddy Young, aged 24, has been accused of two offenses under the UK’s National Security Act for allegedly preparing to disclose protected information between November 2024 and May 2025. During this timeframe, Young is said to have obtained, copied, recorded, or retained classified information for the benefit of a foreign power.
Young has been under police custody since his arrest at his residence in Bedfordshire, just north of London on Tuesday. He is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in central London this Thursday. Commander Helen Flanagan, who heads counterterrorism policing in London, described the charges as very serious against an active military member. The Metropolitan Police Service collaborated closely with the Ministry of Defence during the investigation to mitigate potential risks associated with the case.
Authorities clarified that the charges against Young are unrelated to the recent security incident at RAF Fairford, a British airbase used for US military operations. The arrest follows the discovery of three suspicious vans near the base on September 27, leading to the apprehension of seven individuals. Young had been previously arrested on May 21, 2025, and was released on bail pending further inquiries, during which his security clearance was revoked, and he was relieved of his duties.
Acknowledging the arrest of their service member, the Royal Navy issued a statement indicating that further comments would be withheld due to the ongoing legal proceedings.