A Ukrainian man has been charged over a string of arson attacks targeting properties connected to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Roman Lavrynovych, 21, is accused of setting three separate fires in north London within the past week. He was charged on Thursday with arson with intent to endanger life and is due to face court on Friday, local time.
The first fire, on May 8, involved a vehicle. On Sunday, flames damaged the front of a house that had been converted into apartments. A third incident occurred on Monday, when a fire was lit at Sir Keir’s private residence, scorching the front door. No injuries were reported.
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The Metropolitan Police arrested Lavrynovych on Tuesday. The Crown Prosecution Service’s Counter Terrorism Division, which handles cases involving threats to public officials, authorised the charges due to the connection to the prime minister.
Starmer condemned the attacks earlier this week, calling them “an attack on democracy and the values we stand for”.
He and his family moved into the official Downing Street residence last July. He no longer resides at the addresses that were targeted.
Political leaders from across the spectrum have condemned the incidents. Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch described the attacks as “completely unacceptable”.
Security agencies have not revealed any motive.
Sir Keir’s former home has previously attracted protests. In 2023, three pro-Palestinian demonstrators were arrested after staging an action outside the same property. They were charged with public order offences after unveiling a banner with red handprints.
Authorities say counter-terrorism detectives are continuing to investigate.