A 21-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a series of suspected arson attacks on properties linked to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Metropolitan Police confirmed on Tuesday.
The suspect was taken into custody early Tuesday on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. The arrest followed two separate fire incidents at properties associated with Starmer in North London.
Emergency services responded to a fire at around 1:35am on Monday at the front door of Starmer’s former family home in Kentish Town. The property, which the Prime Minister still owns and now rents out, sustained damage to its entrance, though no injuries were reported.
“Officers attended the scene. Damage was caused to the property’s entrance, nobody was hurt,” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
The fire has been linked to a similar incident a day earlier, on Sunday, at a second north London property, a house converted into flats which British media have also connected to the Prime Minister. The London Fire Brigade said one person was assisted to safety via an internal staircase by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.
Authorities were also investigating a vehicle fire from May 8 as part of the ongoing probe. Given the Prime Minister’s prominence, the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command is leading the investigation.
“All three fires are being treated as suspicious at this time, and enquiries remain ongoing,” police stated.
Responding to the developments, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson said: “The prime minister thanks the emergency services for their work and it is subject to a live investigation. So, I can’t comment further.”
The motive behind the incidents remains unclear, and police have not confirmed any specific link between the suspect and Starmer or his properties.