Second Suspect Arrested in Arson Cases Tied to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer

The investigation has resulted in charges against two individuals linked to multiple fires impacting homes and a vehicle related to the Prime Minister, heightening security concerns around public figures.

A second suspect has been charged following a series of fires affecting residences linked to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Stanislav Carpiuc, a 26-year-old Romanian national, is facing charges of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life, according to a statement released by the Metropolitan Police on Tuesday.

These charges stem from three separate incidents that occurred earlier this month. The first fire ignited in the early hours of May 12 at a property owned by Starmer in Kentish Town, North London, where he and his family resided until last year when they relocated to the official prime ministerial residence at Downing Street following Starmer’s victory in the general election. A second blaze started the day prior at another residential building in the Islington area, while the third incident involved a car fire in Kentish Town on May 8.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported that Starmer had lived in the Islington property during the 1990s and had previously owned the targeted car, which was sold to a neighbor. Fortunately, no injuries were reported from the blazes; however, the Kentish Town house, currently being rented out, suffered damage to its doorway.

Due to the connection to a prominent public figure, the Counterterrorism Police are spearheading the investigation. Carpiuc is accused of conspiring with 21-year-old Roman Lavrynovych, a Ukrainian national, who was living in Sydenham, southeast London, and had already appeared in court last week regarding the incidents.

During the court proceedings at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, prosecuting attorney Sarah Przybylska noted that the properties and vehicle in question were connected to the Prime Minister, while remarking that the nature of the alleged offenses has yet to be fully clarified.

Carpiuc was apprehended on Saturday at London Luton Airport by counterterrorism officers and is scheduled for a further hearing in Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. This is an evolving story, and updates will continue to follow.