Suspect Charged in Fires at Starmer Properties

Prime minister, other politicians have condemned the attacks
Posted May 12, 2025 6:35 PM CDT
Updated May 15, 2025 4:42 PM CDT
UK Police Investigate Fire at Prime Minister's House
Police officers search a bin in Kentish Town, near British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's house in north London, Monday, May 12, 2025.   (James Manning/PA via AP)
UPDATE May 15, 2025 4:42 PM CDT

A suspect has been charged with setting fires that damaged two properties and a car linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Roman Lavrynovych, a Ukrainian national, was charged Thursday with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life, the AP reports. The charges are in connection with a car fire on May 8, a fire Monday at Starmer's private home that damaged the door, and a blaze Sunday outside a north London house connected to the prime minister that's been converted into apartments. No injuries were reported in any of them. The 21-year-old is to appear in court on Friday. Starmer this week said the arsons represent "an attack on all of us, on democracy and the values that we stand for." Politicians of all parties also condemned the crimes.

May 12, 2025 6:35 PM CDT

An overnight fire at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's house in north London is being investigated by counterterrorism police, who said they're treating its origin as being suspicious. No one was injured, the BBC reports. Starmer rents out the four-bedroom house, which he and his wife, Victoria, have owned since 2004, while they live in the prime minister's official Downing Street residence. A spokesman said Starmer thanked first responders but would make no other comment because an investigation had begun, per the Guardian.

Two fire engines and 10 firefighters were dispatched to the house, and the fire described as small was under control in about 20 minutes, officials said. The door to the house was damaged, they said. Police placed a cordon around the property. Three people were convicted last year of disturbances after a pro-Palestinian demonstration near the property. Police say they are investigating whether the fire is linked to a fire 24 hours earlier at another north London property linked to Starmer, the Telegraph reports. Police believe there may also be a link to a car fire last week on the same street as Starmer's home. (More Keir Starmer stories.)

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