Police have arrested a second man in connection with three arson attacks targeting the Prime Minister.
The 26-year-old was arrested around 1.45pm on Saturday at London Luton Airport on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.
The arrest was made by counter terrorism officers from the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit. The man has been taken into police custody in London.
The arrest relates to three incidents – a vehicle fire in NW5 on 8 May, a fire at the entrance of a property in N7 on 11 May and a fire at a residential address in NW5 in the early hours of 12 May.
Today’s arrest follows the arrest of 21-year-old Roman Lavrynovych, of Sydenham, on Thursday, who appeared in court yesterday charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life.
It is understood the three arson targets were the Prime Minister’s £2million north London property, which was set alight on Monday night, just days after the torching of a car and a flat which the Labour leader had previously owned.
Met Police said as all three targets of the arson attacks have ‘previous connections with a high-profile public figure’ officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command are leading the investigation.
Sir Keir has let the four-bedroom house in Kentish Town to his sister-in-law on a peppercorn rent since he moved into Downing Street last year.
Police have arrested a second man in connection with three arson attacks targeting the Prime Minister. Pictured: A car set alight on 8 May
The three arson targets are believed to be connected to Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Alongside the car set alight, there was also a fire at the entrance of a property in N7 on 11 May and a fire at a residential address in NW5 in the early hours of 12 May
The blaze damaged the porch of the property, but firefighters were able to bring it under control within 20 minutes, stopping it from spreading further indoors.
The doors of two homes linked to the Prime Minister in north London both suffered fire damage within 24 hours of each other.
It came after a Toyota Rav 4 on Sir Keir’s street burst into flames on VE Day.
The owner of the vehicle, a neighbour of the Prime Minister, is understood to have thought that the fire started because of a faulty battery. The hybrid car was completely destroyed.
City mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said the three fires had left the Prime Minister’s family feeling ‘frightened’ for their safety.
He told LBC Radio: ‘Don’t underestimate the ripples of fear that [his wife] Vic and the kids felt when they will have read this stuff in the paper.
Roman Lavrynovych, 21, of Sydenham, appeared in court yesterday charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life, as police confirmed a second man has been arrested
‘But for the grace of God they are safe thankfully, in Downing Street, they’ve got a protection team.’
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD 441/12 May.
The public is also asked to remain vigilant and to report anything suspicious to police on 0800 789 321 or via www.gov.uk/ACT
