🚨 BREAKING
What happened
A serving member of the Royal Navy has appeared in court charged with spying for Russia. Teddy Young, 24, a naval intelligence rating from Bedfordshire, is accused of obtaining protected information that could benefit an unnamed foreign power. He was arrested at his home on Tuesday and charged under the National Security Act, the Metropolitan Police said on Thursday.
What we know
Young is alleged to have abused his high-level security clearance to access secret defence and intelligence data while deployed on a navy vessel. He is accused of drafting a message in Russian containing classified information and of taking steps to make direct contact with Russian authorities. He first came to police attention in May last year, when he was suspended and relieved of his duties, and has been on gardening leave until his latest arrest.
He appeared at Westminster magistrates’ court on Thursday, speaking only to confirm his name. District judge Annabelle Pilling remanded him in custody, citing substantial grounds to believe he would not return to court and might commit further offences. He is next due to appear before a specialist judge at the Old Bailey on 16 October.
The Crown Prosecution Service authorised the charges on Wednesday. Prosecutors allege that between 26 November 2024 and 21 May 2025 Young engaged in conduct in preparation for the commission of an offence of disclosing protected information, and that in the same period he obtained, copied, recorded or retained protected information intending it to benefit a foreign power. Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London (CTPL), said the charges are very serious and that investigators worked closely with the Ministry of Defence to mitigate any risk.
The arrest and charges are not connected to the recent incident at RAF Fairford, police said.
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Originally reported by Guardian World.
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