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A Ukrainian man accused of setting fire to properties linked to the UK prime minister has told police that he was unaware of Sir Keir Starmer. This information was presented at the Old Bailey during the trial proceedings. The three defendants involved are Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Petro Pochynok, 35, both Ukrainian nationals, as well as Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, who was born in Romania but is of Ukrainian descent. All three deny the charges against them.
Lavrynovych is alleged to have carried out the arson attacks after being recruited online by an individual known only as “El Money,” a Russian-speaking user on the messaging platform Telegram. This person reportedly promised payment in exchange for carrying out the attacks. Throughout a police interview, Lavrynovych was asked multiple times whether he knew who Sir Keir Starmer was or held any grudges against him, consistently denying both.
Between 1 April and 13 May 2025, the three men, who reside in London, are charged with conspiring to damage property by fire. Lavrynovych additionally faces specific charges related to deliberately endangering life by setting fire to two properties connected to Sir Keir in north London on 11 and 12 May 2025. Alternative charges against him include reckless damage to property by fire where the risk to life is uncertain. A transcript from a police interview conducted on 13 May 2025 was read aloud during the trial.
In the interview, a detective questioned Lavrynovych about his knowledge of the UK prime minister, to which he initially said “No.” He later acknowledged having heard of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, but stated he had no opinions regarding Sir Keir or the Labour government. The line of questioning continued, with Lavrynovych maintaining he had no interest in British politics or any grudges against the prime minister or government. The incidents being investigated include a fire on 8 May 2025 involving a car previously owned by Sir Keir in Kentish Town, followed by fires at flats in Islington and the prime minister’s own home. Following the last fire, “El Money” messaged Lavrynovych, advising him to flee the city and offering payment. Lavrynovych was apprehended hours later.
While denying involvement in the fires during police interviews, Lavrynovych claimed to have been at home during the first incidents and visiting a friend on the third. However, phone data linked him to the fire locations. He also described being offered money to perform reconnaissance and carry out the fires but stated he was never paid. Lavrynovych expressed feeling threatened by his recruiter, who knew his address and whose threats caused concern for his grandmother’s safety. Despite the accusations, he denied committing any arson. Meanwhile, Carpiuc and Pochynok chose not to respond during their police questioning
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