Counter-terrorism officers are investigating whether a hostile foreign state could be behind a string of suspected arson attacks targeting Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, reports The Telegraph.
A 21-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday in connection with attacks on two properties and a car linked to the Labour leader. The suspect, whose nationality has not been revealed, was detained during a police operation in Sydenham, south east London – more than 12 miles from where the attacks took place in north London.
Detectives from Scotland Yard’s elite SO15 Counter Terrorism Command questioned the man, and police say all lines of enquiry remain open. These include possible links to terrorism – whether Islamist, far-Right or far-Left – and even the involvement of a foreign state.
The Prime Minister is said to be receiving updates on the fast-moving investigation but is continuing with his work.
One senior police source described the alleged plot as showing signs of “sophistication,” states the report, with concerns raised over how the attacker may have known about two locations with historical connections to Sir Keir.
The head of the Counter Terrorism Command, Commander Dominic Murphy, issued a rare public statement urging any concerned MPs to come forward.
He said: “We are working at pace and continue to explore various lines of enquiry to establish the cause of the fires, and any potential motivation for these. A key line of enquiry is whether the fires are linked, due to the two premises and the vehicle all having previous links to the same high-profile public figure.”
He added: “We recognise that this investigation may cause concern to other public figures, particularly MPs. The protection of MPs is something we take extremely seriously across the whole of policing and I would encourage any MP who is concerned about their own safety to get in touch with their dedicated local Operation Bridger officer, who can provide further advice and support.”
Downing Street has not commented on the specifics of the case but has not ruled out foreign involvement.
The attacks began early last Thursday morning when a Toyota Rav 4 – previously owned by the Prime Minister – was set on fire near the Starmer family home in Tufnell Park.
Sir Keir is believed to have sold the vehicle to a neighbour after his election victory, but it had been in his family’s possession for several years. It previously made headlines in 2020 when it was involved in a minor collision with a Deliveroo cyclist.
Two days later, the front door of a flat once co-owned by Sir Keir in the 1990s was also allegedly set alight. Though sold in 1997, his name remains on a Companies House register linked to the property’s freehold.
In the most recent incident, a firebomb attack targeted the Starmers’ former family home in north London in the early hours of Monday. The property, now rented by Lady Starmer’s sister, suffered significant damage to its front door and entrance. Fortunately, no one was injured.
The fact that all three targets had historic ties to Sir Keir has raised serious questions over whether the attacks were personally motivated or part of a more sinister plot.
Police are continuing to investigate whether the suspect was working alone or as part of a larger network.
