'No Suspicion Of Espionage' At Navy Base

A Royal Navy spokesperson has said "there is no suspicion of espionage" at a Somerset base following reports that a suspected Chinese spy was found in a service member's room.

The spokesperson confirmed the incident at RNAS Yeovilton is being investigated.

"The Royal Navy takes any breach of security or COVID guidelines extremely seriously," the spokesperson said.

"We are investigating the incident but the individual is a European national and there is no suspicion of espionage."

RNAS Yeovilton, near Yeovil, is one of the busiest military airfields in the UK.

It is home to more than 100 aircraft operated by both training units and frontline squadrons, including the Fleet Air Arm Wildcat Force and the Commando Helicopter Force.

Some 4,300 personnel, service and civilian, including Ministry of Defence employees and permanent contractors are employed on the site, according to the Royal Navy's website.

It is also home to the Navy’s Fighter Controller School, the School of Aircraft Control, the Helicopter Underwater Escape Trainer and the Royal Navy Historic Flight team and aircraft.

Cover image: Crown Copyright.