Fourth man arrested at Stansted Airport over fires at properties linked to Keir Starmer
The 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life
A fourth man has been arrested as part of an investigation into a series of fires at properties in north London linked to Sir Keir Starmer.
The 48-year-old was detained at Stansted Airport on Monday on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life, the Met Police said.
Three other men have been charged on suspicion of arson after two fires took place in Kentish Town, north London on 12 May.
On 11 May, the front door of a house converted into flats in Islington was set alight. And on 8 May, a car was set ablaze.
Ukrainian national Petro Pochynok, 34, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court last month accused of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.
It is alleged that he conspired with fellow Ukrainian Roman Lavrynovych and Ukrainian-born Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc.
Lavrynovych, 21, of Sydenham, south-east London, was charged in May with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life in connection with the fires.
Carpiuc, 26, of Romford in east London, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in May and was also remanded in custody.
Speaking to Sky News, shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said at the time it was “important that the prime minister and anyone in public life has their family, their homes, protected”.
“We have robust disagreements in politics but I want to ensure anyone who chooses to go in to public life feels that they’ll be properly protected and that we have civility in our debate”, he added.
“It is absolutely wrong, disgraceful, for any individual to take the kind of action that we saw against the prime minister’s home.”
At the time, Home secretary Yvette Cooper said she had been briefed about the incidents. She told BBC Breakfast: “You are right that the police are investigating these incidents, and they have my full support in doing so.
“I have been briefed about these incidents but you will understand, as home secretary I obviously cannot comment in any detail on the investigations that are ongoing.”