Royal Navy Serviceman Charged Over Alleged Foreign Power Spying

A 24-year-old Royal Navy serviceman has been charged with national security offences after a Counter Terrorism Policing London investigation into alleged conduct involving protected information and a foreign power.

Teddy Young was arrested at his home in Bedfordshire on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, before being taken into custody in London. He has been remanded in police custody and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 8 October.

Young is accused of engaging in conduct between November 2024 and May 2025 in preparation for an offence involving the disclosure of protected information, contrary to Section 18 of the National Security Act 2023.

He is also accused of obtaining, copying, recording or retaining protected information with the intention that his conduct would benefit a foreign power.

The second allegation states that he knew, or ought reasonably to have known from matters known to him, that the conduct would be prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom.

The allegations have not been tested in court. Young has not been convicted of any offence and remains entitled to the presumption of innocence.

The investigation is being led by Counter Terrorism Policing London, a branch of the Metropolitan Police.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said the charges were serious because they involved a serving member of the armed forces.

She said investigators had worked closely with relevant operational colleagues within the Ministry of Defence during the inquiry so that appropriate measures could be taken to mitigate any potential risks connected with the case.

Commander Flanagan also urged people not to speculate about the circumstances of the investigation while court proceedings are under way.

She said it was important for the case to proceed through the courts and for the justice process not to be impeded.

Daily Dazzling Dawn understands that authorities have so far provided limited information about the foreign power allegedly connected to the case and the specific protected information referred to in the charges.

The Royal Navy confirmed that one of its members had been charged with offences under the National Security Act following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing London.

A Royal Navy spokesperson said legal proceedings were ongoing and that it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

The case places the alleged conduct within the framework of the National Security Act 2023, legislation introduced to create offences dealing with threats to UK national security, including certain activities involving foreign powers and protected information.

However, the charges against Young are allegations only. Any disputed evidence will be considered through the judicial process.

Police have also made clear that the arrest and charges involving Young are not connected to the recent investigation into an incident at RAF Fairford.

The clarification is significant because the two matters are separate investigations and there is currently no indication from authorities that they are linked.

Young's alleged offences relate to a period between November 2024 and May 2025, while his arrest took place in October 2026 following the counter-terrorism investigation.

Young has been remanded in police custody and is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

The hearing will mark the next stage of the legal process. Further information about the allegations may become available through subsequent court proceedings, although reporting may be subject to legal restrictions.

Authorities have not publicly identified the foreign power allegedly involved in the case, nor have they disclosed the nature of the protected information cited in the charges.