A 21-year-old man has appeared in court charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life, following a series of fires allegedly targeting locations connected to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Fires Linked to PM’s Former Home and Car
Roman Lavrynovych, a Ukrainian national, was arrested after a string of incidents in North London, including the alleged firebombing of Sir Keir Starmer’s former family home in Kentish Town in the early hours of Monday, May 12.
Firefighters from London Fire Brigade were called to the address around 1.11am, where damage was reported to the front of the townhouse. No injuries were sustained.
Lavrynovych is also accused of setting fire to a 4×4 vehicle parked on the same street—reportedly sold to neighbours by Starmer—and starting another blaze outside a converted flat in Islington linked to the PM on Sunday, May 11.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court Appearance
Lavrynovych appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today (May 16), where he spoke only to confirm his name, age, and address with the assistance of an interpreter.
Prosecutor Sarah Przybykska told the court that the motive behind the alleged arson attacks is currently “unexplained.” Lavrynovych was remanded in custody and will next appear at the Old Bailey on 6 June.
The Met Police Counter Terrorism Command is leading the investigation due to the connection to a high-profile public figure.
Starmer Condemns Attack
Speaking after news of the arrest, Prime Minister Starmer said:
“This is an attack on all of us—on democracy, and on the values that we stand for.”
A person was reportedly rescued via an internal staircase from the Islington address by emergency crews.
The Crown Prosecution Service’s counter terrorism division confirmed that criminal proceedings are now active. Bethan David, CPS head of counter terrorism, said:
These charges relate to two fires at residential addresses in Islington and Kentish Town, as well as a car fire in Kentish Town.
Mr Lavrynovych is entitled to a fair trial.”
