British authorities arrested a second suspect Saturday in connection with a string of arson attacks targeting property linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The 26-year-old was detained at Luton Airport on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life, according to police.
The arrest follows the court appearance of Roman Lavrynovych, a 21-year-old Ukrainian man, who faces three counts of arson for allegedly setting fires at Starmer’s current and former properties, as well as to a car the prime minister once owned. No injuries were reported in the incidents, which took place across three separate nights between May 8 and May 12 in north London.
Lavrynovych did not enter a plea during his Friday court appearance and has denied involvement. Prosecutors have not yet provided a motive for the crimes.
The targeted attacks included a May 8 blaze that engulfed a Toyota RAV4 formerly owned by Starmer, a fire at an apartment building where he previously lived on May 10, and an arson attack on the doorway of his personal home on May 12. Starmer and his family no longer reside there, having relocated to the official Downing Street residence after his July election.
Because the prime minister was the focus of the attacks, counterterrorism officers are leading the investigation. The Crown Prosecution Service’s Counter Terrorism Division, which handles cases involving state threats, authorized the charges.
Starmer called the incidents “an attack on all of us, on democracy and the values that we stand for.” The House of Commons has united in condemning the acts as politically dangerous and unacceptable threats to democratic institutions.
