Security officials are investigating possible Russian links to three arson attacks on property connected to Sir Keir Starmer, according to reports. Senior Whitehall figures said officials in the UK are looking into whether actors in Russia may have recruited three men who are accused of starting the fires. Discussions are being held on how best to respond if a Russia link is proven, according to the Financial Times, citing the senior figures.
Two fires broke out in Kentish Town, north London. One was in the early hours of May 12 at the home where Sir Keir lived before he became Prime Minister and moved into Downing Street. A car was set alight in the same street four days earlier on May 8. The third fire was on May 11 at the front door of a house converted into flats in Islington that the PM used to own.
Three men are in custody after the fires. Ukrainian national Petro Pochynok, 34, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (May 21) accused of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.
It is alleged Mr Pochynok, of Holloway Road in Islington, North London, conspired with fellow Ukrainian Roman Lavrynovych and Ukrainian-born Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc. He was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on June 6 alongside his co-defendants.
Mr Lavrynovych, 21, of Sydenham, south-east London, was charged last week with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life in connection with the fires. He denied the charges in a police interview. He was remanded in custody after appearing in court on Friday.
Mr Carpiuc, 26, of Romford, Essex, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (May 20) and was also remanded in custody.
Prosecutor Sarah Przybylska has said: “At this stage, the alleged offending is unexplained.”
