Ukrainian suspected in Starmer's house arson
Keir Starmer (Photo: Tolga Akmen/EPA)

A Ukrainian citizen is suspected of involvement in the arson of two residential buildings and a car linked to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer . The man is in custody. Sky News and the Crown Prosecution Service of England and Wales reported this.

According to the prosecutor's office, the 21-year-old Ukrainian lives in London.

He has been charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life.

"These charges relate to two fires in residential buildings in Islington on Sunday, May 11, and in Kentish Town on Monday, May 12, as well as a car fire in Kentish Town on Thursday, May 8," said Bethan David, head of the counter-terrorism unit at the Crown Prosecution Service.

All of the properties, the channel notes, are linked to Starmer. In particular, the last damaged house was where he lived with his family before becoming prime minister.

No one was injured in the fires. One person was evacuated from a house in Islington due to smoke inhalation.

The suspect remains in custody. Westminster Magistrates' Court is due to decide on his further remand on Friday, May 16.

"The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all interested parties that criminal proceedings against the accused are currently ongoing and that he is entitled to a fair trial," said Bethan David.

  • A fire broke out in a house in north London on the night of May 12. The fire was quickly extinguished, there were no injuries, but the entrance to the building was damaged. Starmer lived in it before moving to the official residence of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at 10 Downing Street.
  • On May 13, British police announced the arrest of a 21-year-old man suspected of setting fire to Starmer's house. He was being investigated for involvement in two other arsons linked to the prime minister.
  • The next day, police said they were investigating the possibility that an "enemy state" could have been behind the arsons.