Fires Targeting Starmer: A Chilling Assault on Democracy

In a shocking turn of events, Sir Keir Starmer has accused suspected arson attacks linked to him of being ”an attack on all of us, on democracy and the values that we stand for.” The Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch echoed this sentiment during the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions, calling the attacks ”completely unacceptable.”

Police are conducting a thorough investigation into the suspicious fires set at properties in north London associated with Starmer, including a car. A 21-year-old suspect has been arrested under suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, and police have been granted the authority to detain him for further questioning. Counter-terrorism officers are now involved in this case, focusing on determining the motivations behind these disturbing incidents.

During the Prime Minister’s Questions session, Badenoch stressed that this was not only an attack on Starmer but a threat to democracy itself. In response, Starmer expressed his gratitude for her prompt support. The Prime Minister also acknowledged the severity of the situation, underscoring that such acts are fundamentally aimed at undermining democratic values.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey extended his support, emphasizing solidarity against such appalling attacks. Emergency services swiftly responded to a fire at the Prime Minister’s home, with another earlier incident reported at a property where Starmer lived in the 1990s. The police are also investigating a separate car fire linked to Starmer’s past properties.

The Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism command is treating the incidents with seriousness, recognizing the concern they may raise among Members of Parliament (MPs). Commander Dominic Murphy of the Metropolitan Police reassured that MPs worried about their safety should reach out to Operation Bridger, a unit dedicated to safeguarding political figures. This situation has raised alarm not just for Starmer but suggests a broader implication regarding the safety and security of public officials in the face of violent threats to democracy.