TERROR cops are reportedly probing “hostile state” involvement in “suspicious” blazes at two properties linked to Keir Starmer.
A 21-year-old man was arrested in connection with the alleged arson attacks on Tuesday night.
A fire destroyed a car linked to Keir Starmer,PA Media
Firefighters battled through the night to control the blazesPA Media
The Prime Minister’s Islington home was also targeted in the attackPA Media
The unnamed man was questioned by detectives from Scotland Yard’s counter terrorism unit about fires at two properties linked to the Prime Minister, as well as a third fire at a car linked to Starmer.
The suspect’s nationality has also not been disclosed, but cops confirmed he was detained in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
He was arrested at an address in Sydenham, South East London, which is just 12 miles from the scene of the suspected “firebomb” attacks.
According to The Telegraph, police sources are “keeping an open mind” about the motive and have not ruled out a hostile state being involved.
While the cops search for answers, the head of the Counter Terrorism Command has issued a rare statement.
Commander Dominic Murphy 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.
“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.”
It comes as a Toyota Rav 4, which was parked in the same street as Sir Keir Starmer’s family home, was damaged in a blaze last Thursday.
The car once belonged to the PM but had been sold on to a neighbour.
The Toyota was the same vehicle driven by Starmer when he was involved in an incident with a Deliveroo driver in Camden in 2020.
It came after two incidents saw houses in North London linked to Sir Keir set on fire.
An accelerant was used to douse the front doors of the two homes before they were set alight.
It has also emerged one of the properties, a four-bedroom house in Tufnell Park, is rented to his sister-in-law.
It is understood since moving into Downing Street Keir Starmer has been renting out the property to his sister-in-law and her family.
Some have speculated that the suspect may be someone with a personal grudge against the Prime Minister, though Commander Murphy said that the plan required some “sophistication”.
Sir Keir Starmer is being kept up to date with the developments, while completing his duties as prime minister.
The incident comes after four Iranian men were arrested in connection with a plot to bomb an Israeli Embassy in London.
The men are now in custody and are being questioned by police, though there is no link suspected between the incident and the recent arson attacks.
In 2024, Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes warned that investigations into events involving hostile states had quadrupled in recent years.
These states include Russia and Iran, with the former being linked to several arson attacks in London.
One such incident involved a Ukrainian warehouse, based in the capital, being set alight.
The Prime Minister’s sister-in-law, who lives at one of the properties, was unharmedAP: Associated Press Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
