London police arrest suspect for fire at Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s old home

LONDON — Someone set fire to the door of a house British Prime Minister Keir Starmer used to live in, and police say they’ve arrested a 21-year-old suspect.

London’s Metropolitan Police say the man was arrested early Tuesday in connection with a series of arson attacks in northern London. He remains in custody.

The first fire took place Thursday last week, targeting a vehicle. The second was Sunday, with a fire at the entrance of a property associated with Starmer. And the third fire was reported at 1:35am Monday at a house where Starmer lived before he became prime minister.

Starmer moved out of that house and into his official residence at 10 Downing Street when he was elected prime minister last July. It’s believed to be rented out to tenants since then.

No one was injured in any of the fires.

The London Fire Brigade responded to Monday’s fire, and said there was damage to the entryway.

Police say the suspect was detained in connection with Monday’s fire, “on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.” Authorities are investigating whether he’s linked to the other two fires.

Counter-terrorism officials are leading the investigation. Police say that’s as “a precaution and due to the property having previous connections with a high-profile public figure.”

British lawmakers’ safety is a serious concern after two murders in recent years. A politician from Starmer’s center-left Labour Party, Jo Cox, was killed in 2016 by a white supremacist. Five years later, a Conservative lawmaker, David Amess, was stabbed to death while meeting with voters in eastern England. Amess’ killer was inspired by Islamic State propaganda.

NPR producer Fatima Al-Kassab contributed to this report.

 

Immigrants with no criminal convictions represent sharpest growth in ICE detention population

The number of people in ICE detention without criminal convictions nearly doubled in the last month — a significant increase compared to detainees who have been convicted of crimes.

How Trump’s big beautiful bill aims to ‘supercharge’ immigration enforcement

The bill includes a major federal investment for President Trump's mass deportation plans, while also limiting eligibility for some safety net programs based on immigration status.

DNC chair says Republicans sold ‘their constituents out to help billionaires’

NPR's Juana Summers talks with Ken Martin, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, about how Trump's massive tax and policy bill will figure into democratic messaging in the midterms.

U.K. High Court slams MI5 over informant deception and lack of transparency

A ruling by London's High Court cited the domestic intelligence agency's failure to explain why representatives had repeatedly misled U.K. courts about an informant accused of violence against women.

Actor Michael Madsen, known for ‘Kill Bill’ and ‘Reservoir Dogs,’ dead at 67

His representatives confirmed that his death followed a cardiac arrest this morning.

Abrego Garcia says he was severely beaten in Salvadoran prison

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported from the U.S. in March, says he was brutally beaten and subjected to psychological torture while held in one of El Salvador's most notorious prisons.

More Front Page Coverage