Police make fifth arrest over arson attacks on properties linked to PM

A fifth man has been arrested in connection with arson attacks on north London properties linked to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The Metropolitan Police said a 19-year-old was arrested on Wednesday in Harlow, Essex on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson.

He was subsequently released under investigation, pending further enquiries.

Three men, already charged in connection to attacks on two properties and a car, are due to stand trial on 27 April.

Ukrainians Petro Pochynok, 35, Roman Lavrynovych, 21 and Ukrainian-born Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 27 have all pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit damage property by fire, being reckless as to whether the life of another would thereby be endangered.

Lavrynovych, of Sydenham, has also pleaded not guilty to two counts of damaging property by fire, intending to endanger the lives of others.

A fourth man has been released without charge, a Met Police spokesman has said.

On 12 May, a fire took place at the Kentish Town 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 8 May.

Another fire took place on 11 May at the front door of a house converted into flats in Islington, north London.

The Met Police has said the ongoing investigation is being led by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing London "due to the fires all having connections to a high-profile public figure".