The Metropolitan Police has announced the arrest of a third individual in connection with arson attacks on properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer. The 34-year-old suspect was apprehended in Chelsea, south-west London on Monday morning on allegations of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life, the authorities reported. This arrest comes following the detainment of two other men in connection with the incidents, which involved three separate events: a vehicle fire in Kentish Town, a fire at the prime minister’s former residence on the same street, and a fire at a property where he previously resided in north-west London.
Over the weekend, a 26-year-old man was also arrested at Luton Airport on suspicion of the same offense in relation to the arson attacks. Previously, 21-year-old Roman Lavrynovych had been charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life and appeared in court where he did not plead guilty to the charges. Mr. Lavrynovych, identified as a Ukrainian national working as a builder and roofer, denied involvement in the arson incidents during questioning by the police. He has been remanded in custody until the next court hearing scheduled for 6 June. Meanwhile, the individual detained at the airport is still under police interrogation and has not been identified.
The investigation into the arson attacks is led by the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command due to the connection with a prominent public figure. The incidents under scrutiny include a fire on 12 May at Sir Keir’s former residence in Kentish Town, as well as a car fire on the same street on 8 May, which involved a vehicle previously owned by the prime minister. Another fire on 11 May occurred at a property in Islington where Sir Keir had lived in the past. Sir Keir expressed gratitude to the emergency services for their response to the fires, as conveyed by his official spokesman on 12 May. However, due to the ongoing investigation, the prime minister refrained from making further comments on the matter.
The suspect arrested on Monday, alongside the two individuals apprehended earlier, are part of an unfolding legal drama that has linked them to the arson attacks at properties associated with Sir Keir Starmer. The investigation into these incidents, overseen by the police’s Counter Terrorism Command, is centered on meticulously examining the connections to the high-profile public figure and the potential motives behind the arson attacks. Sir Keir has acknowledged the swift response and efforts of the emergency services in addressing the fires, expressing appreciation for their dedication. Amid the unfolding events, the prime minister has opted to withhold further commentary on the situation given the ongoing nature of the investigation and legal proceedings
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