Mysterious Russian-speaking handler orchestrated arson attack on Keir Starmer’s former home

A Russian-speaking mastermind known as “El Money” paid two men to set fire to houses and a car belonging to Sir Keir Starmer to create fear and “unrest” in Britain, a court has heard.

A mysterious Telegram account recruited criminal proxies for arson attacks on Sir Keir’s former home last May.

Ukrainian builders Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, were found guilty of plotting to destroy property by an Old Bailey jury. Petro Pochynok, 35, was also cleared of the same charge.

The attacks began in the early hours of May 8 last year, when a Toyota Rav4, previously owned by the prime minister, was set on fire in Kentish Town, north London.

Within days, fires were lit at the entrance to the block of flats where Sir Keir used to live, and at the house he rented to his sister-in-law after moving to No. 10. Keir and his family were asleep in their beds when Lavrynovych set the door on fire, possibly cutting off an escape route.

The anonymous Russian-speaking social media account behind the attacks had offered Lavrynovych £3,000 in cryptocurrency if the fires were filmed and reported. The construction worker was also found guilty of damaging two properties by fire by being careless about whether life was endangered on May 11 and 12 last year.

The BBC investigation claimed El Money had links to the highest levels of forces in Moscow, but the Counter Terrorism Police said there was no evidence they were a “state threat”.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Police (CTP) London, said that although the identity of the planner was not known, the attack was “intended to cause anxiety, confusion and impact on individuals and society in the UK”.

“I think the defendants’ intention was clearly to get paid and to commit crimes in exchange for money,” he added.

“There was no ideological motivation around this and there is no evidence to suggest that they knew who they were targeting and that it was the prime minister or properties connected to the prime minister.

“However, it is clear that the online officer’s intention was to create fear for both the victim and the prime minister, and to create uncertainty and unrest for the UK.”

A government spokesman described the attacks as “disgusting” and thanked the police and Crown Prosecution Service for bringing those responsible to justice.

Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch said “no one should face intimidation, threats or attack” because of their role in politics.

He said: “Keir Starmer and I disagree on many issues, but good people across the political spectrum will welcome today’s decisions, condemn these appalling attacks, apparently sponsored by Russia, and wish the Prime Minister and his family well.

“Regardless of our political differences, no one should face intimidation, threats and attacks just because they hold public office.

“Democracy is established at the ballot box, not through fear, violence and certainly not through foreign intervention by hostile countries.”

The elder Bailey heard how Lavrynovych tried to persuade Mr Pochynok to film the fire in the car after his friend first approached Carpiuc.

Three nights later, a fire was reported at a property near Islington managed by a company previously linked to the prime minister. Jurors were shown a video by Lavrynovych in which a lit match was thrown at the accelerator on the threshold of the address.

About half an hour later, the resident of the apartment upstairs woke up with the smell of smoke and ran to the roof to call the fire brigade.

Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson KC said the fire spread to a corridor inside the building and posed a “clear” risk to residents.

The prime minister’s former home in Kentish Town was also targeted in the early hours of the following morning.

His sister-in-law, Judith Alexander, who lives there with her partner and daughter, said in a statement: “Suddenly I heard two explosions. “It was very loud and sounded like two wheelie bins had been thrown at the door.

“I didn’t see anyone on the street, but when I looked down I saw smoke and an orange glow where the front door was.”

As thick smoke spread upstairs, Ms Alexander said she tried to call her sister Victoria, the prime minister’s wife.

He talked about his fear of what might have happened if he hadn’t woken up.

After the attacks, El Money encouraged Lavrynovych to flee, saying: “Look, you attacked the house of a very high-ranking person in Britain. I will send you money, you need to leave the city.”

“If the police detain you, if you secretly write the word ‘geranium’, I will send you a lawyer, give you money and a new phone for a week. We will not see each other for a week.”

Lavrynovych, of Sydenham, south London, was charged on May 15 last year. Two days later Carpiuc was stopped at Luton Airport while waiting for his flight to Romania.

In his defense, construction worker Lavrynovych admitted setting fire to the property but claimed he was threatened by El Money.

El Money’s true identity remains a mystery, but Lavrynovych said he believes he is “strong” with political connections. The court heard he had previously commissioned her to paint racist graffiti on an Islamic community center and display anti-Muslim leaflets in exchange for money.

Hotel worker Carpiuc, from Romford, east London, said he denied involvement and told Lavrynovych the plan was “stupid” and illegal.

His former flatmate, Mr Pochynok, who worked in construction and as a Harrods delivery driver, told jurors he did not know about the car-arson plot until it was too late.

Mr Pochynok, from Islington, north London, said he thought Lavrynovych had asked him to help a mutual friend carry heavy suitcases and fled while he gave him a camera phone to film.

Following the verdicts, Frank Ferguson, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “These were deliberate and dangerous acts of arson against a vehicle and property connected to the prime minister and posed a serious risk of life.

“These types of crimes go beyond damaging property; they aim to intimidate and undermine public trust and will not be tolerated.

“Today’s convictions demonstrate that those who commit criminal acts, including acts of arson, to pursue their own interests or those of others will be thoroughly investigated and vigorously prosecuted.”

The couple will be sentenced on Friday.