POLICE have arrested a 21-year-old man on suspicion of arson after fires were reported at three locations, including prime minister Keir Starmer’s private home in north London.
Officers were called in the early hours of Monday to a fire at a property in Kentish Town, which Starmer represents in parliament. No injuries were reported, but the entrance of the property was damaged.
The man was arrested early Tuesday on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, police said. He is also being questioned in connection with two other incidents.
Police are investigating whether the fire in Kentish Town is linked to a vehicle fire in the same area on Thursday, and another fire reported at the entrance of a property in nearby Islington on Sunday.
According to a BBC report, the Islington property is also connected to the prime minister.
Starmer previously lived at the Kentish Town house with his wife and two children before moving into 10 Downing Street after becoming prime minister in July.
The investigation is being led by officers from the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command because of the property’s links to a high-profile public figure, police said.
A spokesperson for Starmer thanked emergency services for their response on Monday.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Sir Anwar cutting the cake during Bestway group’s 32nd annual charity day last Friday (20)
King Charles and Queen Camilla at Royal Ascot
Lord Tariq Ahmad
Lord Jitesh Gadhia and Lord Zameer Choudrey
Guests at the Pavilion restaurant
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)