Fifth Suspect Arrested in Metropolitan Police Arson Investigation Linked to Prime Minister
A fifth individual has been detained by police as part of an ongoing investigation into a series of suspected arson attacks targeting properties and a vehicle connected to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a 19-year-old male was arrested yesterday in Harlow, Essex, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson.
Details of the Arrest and Investigation
The suspect was taken into custody at an Essex police station for questioning and has since been released under investigation. This arrest is directly related to a Met Police probe into three separate incidents that occurred in north London during May of last year. The investigation focuses on a vehicle fire on May 8, a fire at the entrance of a property on May 11, and a residential blaze on May 12, all of which have connections to the Prime Minister.
This development follows the earlier arrest of a 48-year-old man at Stansted Airport in June last year on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. That individual has since been released without charge, highlighting the complex nature of this ongoing inquiry.
Previously Charged Individuals and Legal Proceedings
Three men have already been formally charged in connection with these fires and are currently awaiting trial. The charged individuals include two Ukrainian nationals: Petro Pochynok, aged 35, and Roman Lavrynovych, aged 21. Additionally, 27-year-old Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc has been charged. All three defendants have entered not guilty pleas to the allegations against them.
The specific charges are serious in nature. Pochynok faces a charge of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. Lavrynovych has been charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life. Carpiuc has been charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. All three men have been remanded in custody ahead of their trial, which is scheduled to commence at the Old Bailey on April 27.
Chronology and Impact of the Suspected Arson Attacks
The charges relate to three distinct incidents that occurred within a narrow timeframe in May. The first incident involved a vehicle fire in Kentish Town on May 8. This was followed by a fire at the Prime Minister's private home in the same street on May 12. The third incident was a blaze at an address in the Islington area where Sir Keir previously resided, which occurred on May 11.
One of the most significant fires took place in the early hours of May 12 at the property where Sir Keir lived before becoming Prime Minister and moving into Downing Street. The London Fire Brigade alerted police to reports of this fire at 1.35am. Although the blaze damaged the porch of the property, firefighters brought it under control within 20 minutes, preventing it from spreading further indoors. Fortunately, no one was injured in this incident.
This fire occurred just 24 hours after a flat the Prime Minister previously occupied in the nearby Islington area caught fire. Firefighters attended that blaze and helped one person to safety, with the door of the property suffering fire damage.
The vehicle incident on May 8 involved a car that Sir Keir had sold to a neighbour the previous year. The hybrid Toyota Rav 4 was completely destroyed in the blaze, which took place on VE Day. The new owner initially believed the fire might have started due to a faulty battery.
Context of the Targeted Properties
Sir Keir Starmer has let his £2 million private home in the Kentish Town area of north London to his sister-in-law on a peppercorn rent since he moved into 10 Downing Street following his general election victory. This is the property that was targeted in the May 12 fire. The Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command is leading the investigation, as all three targets of the alleged arson attacks have what authorities describe as 'previous connections with a high-profile public figure'.
The investigation continues as police work to establish the full circumstances surrounding these serious incidents and determine whether they are linked to any broader criminal activity or motive.
