Old Bailey hears accused in Starmer arson case said he did not know who prime minister was
The Old Bailey has heard that a Ukrainian man accused over arson attacks linked to Sir Keir Starmer told police he had never heard of the prime minister.
The testimony came as the trial continued in London over fires at properties and a car connected to the Labour leader.
Roman Lavrynovych, 22, Petro Pochynok, 35, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, are accused of targeting two properties and a car linked to Sir Keir.
All three, who live in London, deny the charges.
Prosecutors say Lavrynovych carried out the attacks after being recruited online by a Russian-speaking Telegram user called "El Money", who promised payment.
A transcript of a police interview from 13 May 2025 was read to jurors on Wednesday.
In that interview, Lavrynovych was asked several times whether he knew who Sir Keir was and whether he held a grudge against him.
He repeatedly answered no, and also said he had no interest in British politics.
The case matters because it concerns alleged attacks on homes and a vehicle linked to the sitting prime minister, with three defendants facing conspiracy charges over damage by fire between 1 April and 13 May 2025.
