Ukrainian national charged with arson over blazes that targeted UK PM KEIR STARMER’s property

Friday, May 16, 2025 - The British police have charged a man with arson following a series of blazes that targeted UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Roman Lavrynovych, 21, of Sydenham, a Ukrainian national,l has been charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life. 

He is accused of setting the Prime Minister's £2m north London property alight on Monday night, just days after the torching of a car and a flat which the Labour leader had previously owned. The three fires took place between May 8 and 12. 

Lavrynovych is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday. 

He was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday morning and has remained in custody. 

Sir Keir has let the four-bedroom house in Kentish Town to his sister-in-law on a peppercorn rent since he moved into Downing Street last year. 
The blaze damaged the porch of the property, but firefighters were able to bring it under control within 20 minutes, stopping it from spreading further indoors. 

The doors of two homes linked to the Prime Minister in north London both suffered fire damage within 24 hours of each other.

The head of Counter Terrorism Command issued a statement following the blazes, urging any MPs who may be concerned to contact police.  

Bethan David, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service Counter Terrorism Division, said: 'Following a review of the evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police Service's Counter Terrorism Command, we have authorised criminal charges against a 21-year-old man after three fires in north London.

'Roman Lavrynovych has been charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life or being reckless as to whether life would be endangered, contrary to section 1(2) and (3) of the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

'These charges relate to two fires at residential addresses in Islington on Sunday, 11 May 2025 and in Kentish Town on Monday, 12 May 2025, as well as a car fire in Kentish Town on Thursday, 8 May 2025.

'The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are now active and that he has the right to a fair trial.

'It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.'