Defendant Claims No Knowledge of Prime Minister Starmer
A Ukrainian man accused of setting fire to the prime minister's residence told police he had never heard of Sir Keir Starmer, according to testimony at the Old Bailey.
Roman Lavrynovych, 22, along with Ukrainian nationals Petro Pochynok, 35, and Ukrainian-born Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, face charges related to arson attacks on two properties and a vehicle linked to Sir Keir. All three deny the allegations.
Lavrynovych is alleged to have carried out the arson attacks after being recruited online by a Russian-speaking Telegram user known as "El Money," who promised payment for the acts.
During a police interview, Lavrynovych was repeatedly asked if he knew who Sir Keir Starmer was or if he harbored any grudge against him, to which he consistently responded negatively.
Charges and Allegations
All three men, residents of London, are charged with conspiring together—and with others—to damage property by fire between 1 April and 13 May 2025.
Lavrynovych, who resides in Lewisham, south-east London, faces additional charges of damaging property by fire with intent to endanger life on 11 and 12 May 2025 at two north London properties connected to Sir Keir. He also faces alternative counts of damaging property by fire recklessly endangering life.
Police Interview Transcript Revealed
A transcript from a police interview conducted on 13 May 2025 with Lavrynovych was presented to jurors on Wednesday.
"I just want to ask you about our prime minister. Do you know who that is?"
"You don't know who the UK prime minister is? Alright, have you heard of Keir Starmer?"
Lavrynovych acknowledged hearing of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson but initially denied knowledge of the current prime minister.
"Okay so Keir Starmer's our current prime minister, he lives in London. Do you have any thoughts about Keir Starmer and the Labour Party and the government in general?"
"No, not at all,"
Lavrynovych replied, later adding
"not really"
when asked about his interest in British politics. He also denied holding any grudges against Sir Keir or the government.
Details of the Arson Incidents
On 8 May 2025, a Toyota car formerly owned by the prime minister was found ablaze on a street in Kentish Town, north London, where he had previously lived. Three days later, a fire occurred at flats in nearby Islington, another former residence of Sir Keir.
On 12 May 2025, a fire was discovered at the front entrance of Sir Keir's Kentish Town home—the same street where the car had been set on fire. This property was being rented by his sister-in-law.
Messages from 'El Money' and Arrest
Jurors were informed that following the final fire, "El Money" messaged Lavrynovych stating:
"Look, you attacked the home of a very high-ranking person in Britain. I'll send you money, you need to leave the city."
Lavrynovych was arrested hours later.
Defendant's Denial and Phone Data Evidence
During police questioning, Lavrynovych denied involvement in the fires, claiming he was at home during the first two incidents and visiting his friend Petro in Camden on the third occasion.
He maintained this account even after being presented with phone data linking him to the locations of the fires.
Offer of Payment and Threats
Lavrynovych disclosed that he was offered money to set fire to the three addresses.
In a prepared statement, he said the contact had asked him to check for CCTV and provided instructions regarding two addresses.
"He said that once done, he would pay me and I trusted him. I needed the money. He has not paid me though."
He also stated:
"I felt threatened. He threatened me by saying that I would have to do the job as he knew where I lived. I was scared as my grandmother lives at the same address and I could not be sure that he would not do anything."
Lavrynovych insisted that he did not commit arson at any of the addresses.
Other Defendants' Responses
Carpiuc, from Romford, east London, and Pochynok, of Islington, north London, declined to comment during their police interviews.
