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UK police make second arrest over fires linked to PM

By AAP Newswire

May 18, 2025

Police officers — Police have arrested a second man after fires at properties linked to the prime minister. -AP

UK police say they have arrested a second person in connection with a series of arson attacks at properties linked to Prime Minister Keir Starmer in North London, a day after a Ukrainian man was remanded in custody over the fires.

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Police said in a statement on Saturday that a 26-year-old was arrested at London's Luton Airport on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life, and listed the same incidents which had involved properties connected to Starmer.

Roman Lavrynovych, a 21-year-old Ukrainian man, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' court on Friday accused of three counts of arson with intent to endanger life over the three fires, which took place last week.

UK police were last week called to a blaze at the property in Kentish Town, north London - the constituency Starmer represents.

No one was injured but the entrance to the home was damaged.

Lavrynovych was arrested the following day in connection with that fire and two further incidents - a fire at the entrance to an apartment block in nearby Islington and a fire involving a car, a Toyota RAV4, in Kentish Town, both taking place on separate days.

The car and both the properties were linked to Starmer, the court heard.

Counter-terrorism police led the investigation given the involvement of such a high-profile public figure, the police said.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press