Three men arrested so far over PM Starmer’s house fire

A third man has been arrested in connection with a string of arson attacks targeting properties linked to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Metropolitan Police said on Monday.

The 34-year-old was taken into custody on Monday morning in Chelsea, south-west London, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.

His arrest follows those of two other men last week. One of them, 21-year-old Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych, has been charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life. Another man, 26, was arrested on Saturday at Luton Airport under suspicion of the same offence, but has not been named.

The three arrests are linked to three separate incidents: a vehicle fire in Kentish Town, a fire at Starmer’s private residence on the same street, and another blaze at a property in north-west London where the prime minister previously lived.

British police were called last week to the fire at the Kentish Town address in north London — part of the constituency Starmer represents. 

While no injuries were reported, the entrance to the home sustained damage. Starmer had lived there with his wife and two children before moving into 10 Downing Street after becoming prime minister in July 2024.

Authorities are also investigating two other incidents: a fire at the entrance to an apartment block in Islington and the arson of a Toyota RAV4, also in Kentish Town. According to Westminster Magistrates’ Court, all three incidents involved locations connected to Starmer.

The investigation is being led by counter-terrorism police due to the prime minister’s involvement.

“These are deeply concerning incidents,” Starmer said. “This is an attack on all of us, on our democracy and the values we stand for.”

(BBC/Reuters)

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