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Man held over arson attacks after fire at Starmer's home

The Independent

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May 14, 2025

A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after two properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer were damaged in London.

- MILLIE COOKE

Man held over arson attacks after fire at Starmer's home

The Metropolitan Police said the suspect was arrested in the early hours of yesterday, and he remains in custody.

Emergency services were called to blazes at the doors of two homes in north London within 24 hours of each other – one just after 1.30am on Monday and the other on Sunday.

Police are investigating whether the fires were linked, and counterterrorism officers are leading the inquiry because the properties have connections to a high-profile public figure. Scotland Yard is also looking into a vehicle fire on Thursday as part of the probe.

On Monday, a police cordon and officers, as well as investigators from the London Fire Brigade (LFB), could be seen outside a Kentish Town property, where the prime minister used to live.

Sir Keir is understood to still own the home, but lives at the PM’s official residence in Downing Street. It is understood that a family member of the prime minister is renting the property from him.

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