Fifth Suspect Detained in Arson Investigation Involving Prime Minister's Properties
A fifth individual has been arrested as part of an ongoing police investigation into a series of deliberate fires targeting properties and a vehicle connected to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The 19-year-old man was taken into custody at an Essex police station on Wednesday and has since been released under investigation, pending further enquiries by authorities.
Sequence of Targeted Incidents
The investigation centres around three separate arson attacks that occurred in May 2025. The first incident involved a Toyota RAV4, which Sir Keir had previously owned, being set alight in Kentish Town, north London, on 8 May. This was followed by a blaze at the front door of a converted house in Islington, also linked to the Prime Minister, on 11 May. In the early hours of 12 May, a fire broke out at the residence where Sir Keir lived before assuming office and moving into Downing Street.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
As part of the same inquiry, three other men have already been charged in relation to these fires. The accused individuals are Petro Pochynok, aged 34, and Roman Lavrynovych, aged 21, both Ukrainian nationals, along with Stanislav Carpiuc, a 26-year-old Ukrainian-born Romanian national. Lavrynovych faces three counts of arson with intent to endanger life, while Pochynok and Carpiuc are accused of conspiring to commit arson with intent to endanger life.
All three charged defendants are scheduled to stand trial at the Old Bailey, with proceedings set to commence on 27 April. The latest arrest underscores the complexity and ongoing nature of this high-profile investigation, which continues to develop as police gather additional evidence and information.
