International

Second suspect arrested over arson attacks linked to Keir Starmer amid security fears

Sunday, 18 May 2025 12:22AM UTC

A 26-year-old man has been detained at Luton Airport in connection with multiple arson attacks on properties connected to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, escalating concerns over national security and the political motivations behind the incidents.

A second arrest has been made in connection with a series of alarming arson attacks targeted at properties linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The 26-year-old suspect was apprehended at Luton Airport, raising serious concerns about the implications of these incidents given Starmer's prominent political status. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the arrest was made on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life, following the earlier arrest of Roman Lavrynovych, a 21-year-old Ukrainian national, who now faces three charges of arson.

The arson incidents, which transpired within a week from May 8 to May 12, involved multiple high-profile targets, including Starmer's family home in Kentish Town, a previous residence in Islington, and a vehicle that was once owned by him. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries from these attacks, which have now escalated the situation to a matter of national security, necessitating the involvement of counterterrorism police. These officers are deliberating whether the nature of the attacks represents a broader threat to democracy, given the political context surrounding Starmer's recent rise to leadership.

At a recent court hearing, prosecutors outlined that Lavrynovych allegedly used accelerants to ignite the fires. During police questioning, he reportedly denied the charges. His legal representatives opted not to seek bail, and he is currently detained pending a forthcoming court appearance at the Old Bailey on June 6. The court proceedings included translation services due to Lavrynovych's Ukrainian nationality, reflecting the significant backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions regarding Ukraine.

Starmer, who took office as Prime Minister in July 2024, has publicly condemned the attacks, characterising them as direct assaults on democracy and shared values. Echoing this sentiment, political figures across the spectrum, including Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch, have expressed their solidarity against such acts of violence, emphasising the need for unity in upholding democratic principles.

This sequence of events is further complicated by the context of previous protests outside Starmer's former residence, which have involved politically motivated demonstrations. Notably, Starmer's vocal support for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia has placed him in a politically charged position, prompting speculation regarding potential motives behind the attacks. This raises critical questions about safety in the political realm and the impact of heightened tensions on public figures.

As investigations continue, the counterterrorism unit is keeping an open mind towards various motives, including possible connections to Starmer's support for Ukrainian efforts. The situation has resonated deeply within the political landscape, serving as a reminder of the vulnerabilities that public figures face in an increasingly volatile environment.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.ft.com/content/74d1f537-d3a0-4b7a-895e-9ba090dfb83d - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-police-make-second-arrest-connection-with-fires-linked-pm-starmer-2025-05-17/ - British police have arrested a second individual in connection with a series of arson attacks targeting properties linked to Prime Minister Keir Starmer in North London. The 26-year-old suspect was taken into custody at Luton Airport on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with the intent to endanger life. This follows the arrest of Roman Lavrynovych, a 21-year-old Ukrainian man, who has been charged with three counts of arson. The incidents occurred last week and involved fires at a property in Kentish Town, an apartment block entrance in Islington, and a Toyota RAV4 vehicle in Kentish Town—all linked to Starmer. No injuries were reported, but property damage was sustained. Lavrynovych appeared in court on Friday, and the investigation is being led by counter-terrorism police due to Starmer's high-profile political position. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-police-make-second-arrest-connection-with-fires-linked-pm-starmer-2025-05-17/?utm_source=openai))
https://apnews.com/article/0440e2748bb3395744f85993f7faa9fd - A second suspect has been arrested in connection with a series of arson attacks targeting properties linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The 26-year-old man was apprehended at Luton Airport on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. This follows the arrest of 21-year-old Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych, who has been charged with setting fire to Starmer’s current and former residences, as well as a car he used to own. Lavrynovych appeared in Westminster Magistrates' Court but has not entered a plea and denies the allegations. All incidents, which occurred between May 8 and May 12 in north London, resulted in no injuries. Counterterrorism detectives are leading the investigation due to the involvement of a high-profile political figure, with the prosecution being handled by the Crown Prosecution Service's Counter Terrorism Division. Prime Minister Starmer, who now resides at the official Downing Street residence, condemned the attacks as assaults on democracy and shared values, with support echoed across the House of Commons. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/0440e2748bb3395744f85993f7faa9fd?utm_source=openai))
https://www.ft.com/content/74d1f537-d3a0-4b7a-895e-9ba090dfb83d - UK police have arrested a second suspect in connection to a series of alleged arson attacks on properties associated with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The 26-year-old man was apprehended at London Luton Airport on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. The arrest follows charges filed earlier this week against 21-year-old Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych, who is accused of setting three fires, including one at Starmer's family home in Kentish Town, north London. Other affected properties included a previous residence in Islington and a car formerly owned by Starmer, all targeted within a week. Counterterrorism officers from the Metropolitan Police and Eastern Region Special Operations Unit are leading the investigation, given the high-profile nature of the victim. Lavrynovych has been charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life and is being held in custody ahead of a court appearance at the Old Bailey on June 6. Prosecutors noted the use of accelerants in the fires and stated that Lavrynovych denied the charges during police questioning. His legal team did not request bail, and proceedings are being assisted by a Ukrainian interpreter. ([ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/74d1f537-d3a0-4b7a-895e-9ba090dfb83d?utm_source=openai))
https://apnews.com/article/318507c3eed9a1c0a9e694d4c966e385 - A 21-year-old Ukrainian man, Roman Lavrynovych, has been charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life after fires targeted properties linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The incidents occurred over the past week, involving a car fire on May 8, a fire at Starmer’s private residence on May 12, and another outside a north London apartment building on May 11 connected to the Prime Minister. No injuries were reported. Lavrynovych remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday. The investigation, overseen by counterterrorism detectives and the Crown Prosecution Service's Counter Terrorism Division, is being treated as a potential threat to the state given the political implications. Prime Minister Starmer condemned the incidents as attacks on democracy and shared values, a sentiment echoed by other political figures, including Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch. Previously, Starmer’s former residence also faced protests, including an incident involving three pro-Palestinian activists. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/318507c3eed9a1c0a9e694d4c966e385?utm_source=openai))
https://apnews.com/article/508282452a81723220bcd383e5df4ad1 - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced recent arson attacks on properties linked to him as assaults on democracy and shared values during a parliamentary session on Wednesday. The incidents, which occurred in various locations connected to Starmer, including his former residence and a related apartment building, are under investigation by counterterrorism detectives. A 21-year-old man has been arrested and is being held on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, with authorities granted an additional 36 hours to question him. No injuries have been reported. Authorities are examining potential motives, including possible state involvement. The suspect allegedly ignited fires at Starmer’s former home in Kentish Town, a nearby property, and a vehicle, suggesting a targeted attack. Leaders across the political spectrum, including Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch, condemned the attacks as unacceptable. The former residence has been the focus of protests in the past, including a pro-Palestinian demonstration resulting in several arrests. Starmer and his family now reside at the official Downing Street residence, following his election as Prime Minister in July 2024. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/508282452a81723220bcd383e5df4ad1?utm_source=openai))
https://www.ft.com/content/a6bcea40-065d-462a-a0a7-ab9ab9da0a29 - Roman Lavrynovych, a 21-year-old Ukrainian national residing in south-east London, has been charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life in relation to a series of fires at properties and a car linked to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The incidents occurred in north London over the past week, including a fire at Starmer's family home in Kentish Town and another property in Islington. No injuries were reported, but the events have raised concerns over a potentially coordinated campaign against the Prime Minister. Lavrynovych was arrested on Tuesday and is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court. The investigation, led by counterterrorism police, is ongoing with authorities maintaining an open mind about the motive. While the Metropolitan Police have not confirmed a motive, Lavrynovych's Ukrainian nationality and Starmer's vocal support for Ukraine amid the war with Russia may be considered during the inquiry. Starmer recently visited Ukraine with other European leaders to call for a ceasefire, and he denounced the attacks as threats to democracy and shared values. Since Russia's invasion in 2022, the UK has taken in nearly 220,000 Ukrainian refugees. ([ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/a6bcea40-065d-462a-a0a7-ab9ab9da0a29?utm_source=openai))

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative references events occurring between May 8 and May 12, 2025, and mentions Keir Starmer taking office as Prime Minister in July 2024, which aligns with the current timeline. There are no indications of recycled or outdated information. The arrests and court dates are very recent, indicating freshness.

Quotes check

Score: 8

Notes: Direct quotes include Starmer's condemnation of the attacks as assaults on democracy and the expression of solidarity by Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch. These statements are consistent with typical public political responses. However, no earliest known source or primary statement timestamp is identified online, suggesting these may be original or from recent official briefings.

Source reliability

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative originates from the Financial Times, a globally recognised and reputable publication known for high editorial standards and reliable reporting, lending strong credibility to the information presented.

Plausability check

Score: 9

Notes: Claims align plausibly with the political context of 2025, including Starmer's leadership role and geopolitical tensions involving Ukraine. The details about arrests, charges, and court proceedings are consistent with normal UK legal and security processes. No contradictory evidence found, but the evolving nature of investigations means some specifics may change.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative presents a timely, well-sourced account consistent with recent developments involving UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. It is from a highly reliable publication, contains plausible claims corresponding to current events, and includes direct quotes likely from contemporaneous official statements. No significant issues of outdated content or unverifiable claims were found.

Keir Starmer
arson attacks
counterterrorism
political violence
UK politics