Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Royal Navy Sailor Charged Over Alleged Spying for Foreign Power
Teddy Young is a 24-year-old member of the Royal Navy.
He has been charged under a UK law about national security.
Prosecutors say he prepared to share protected information and kept information for a foreign power.
They say this happened from November 2024 to May 2025.
Police have not publicly named the foreign power, although a broadcast report says it was Russia.
Young was arrested at his home in Bedfordshire.
Reports differ about whether his court appearance was still upcoming or had already happened, and one says he was held until October 16.
The Royal Navy says it will not comment while the case is ongoing.
Police say the charges are not connected to the separate RAF Fairford security alert.
Teddy Young, 24, a serving Royal Navy sailor, faces two charges under the UK National Security Act.
Prosecutors allege he prepared to disclose and retained protected information for a foreign power between November 2024 and May 2025.
A broadcast report identifies the alleged foreign power as Russia and describes claims involving a Russian-language message and a private email account; police have not publicly named the power.
Young was arrested at his Bedfordshire home and had previously been arrested in May 2025; his security clearance was suspended and he was removed from duties.
Reports differ on the court stage: one says he was due at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, while another says he appeared and was remanded until October 16; police say the case is unrelated to the RAF Fairford alert.
- Who
- Teddy Young, a 24-year-old serving Royal Navy sailor, is charged.
- What
- He faces two National Security Act charges concerning alleged preparation to disclose and retention of protected information for a foreign power.
- When
- The alleged conduct is dated from November 2024 to May 2025. Reports give differing accounts of the court appearance date and status.
- Where
- Young was arrested at his home in Bedfordshire and the case is before Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London.
- Why
- Prosecutors allege that protected information was prepared for disclosure to, or retained for the benefit of, a foreign power.
Calls for a response
Caution during proceedings
Political response to the allegations
Calls for a response
Conservative MP Alicia Kearns called Russia a terrorist state and argued that an aggressor state should face consequences; the broadcast report said she called for a fresh diplomatic crackdown on Moscow.
Caution during proceedings
The Royal Navy said it would be inappropriate to comment further while legal proceedings are ongoing. Police have not publicly named the foreign power.
- Defendant
- Teddy Young, 24
- Service
- Royal Navy
- Charges
- Two offences under the UK National Security Act
- Alleged period
- November 2024 to May 2025
- Foreign power
- Police describe it as undisclosed; a broadcast report identifies Russia
- Arrest and prior action
- Arrested at his Bedfordshire home; previously arrested on May 21, 2025, and later released on bail pending further investigation, according to one report
- Court status
- Reports differ: one says Young was due to appear Thursday; another says he appeared and was remanded until October 16
- Separate incident
- Police said the charges are unrelated to the RAF Fairford security alert
