Sir Keir Starmer has said a series of arson attacks on his family home and a related property are “an attack on democracy”.
The prime minister was speaking publicly about the fires for the first time.
A 21-year-old remains in custody on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, following three fires at properties relating to the prime minister over the past week.
Emergency services were called to fires at the doors of two homes in north London within 24 hours of each other. One was at around 1.35am on Monday, while another was at a property three miles away the previous day.
Both properties are linked to Sir Keir. A third fire also saw the prime minister’s car go up in flames, just a few doors down from the Starmer family home, last Thursday.
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Nobody was hurt in any of the arson attacks, though the Starmer family home has been damaged, with scorch marks around the porch.
Counter-terrorism police are investigating whether the three fires are linked, and say they are all being treated as suspicious.
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Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir said: “This is an attack on all of us, on democracy, and the values we stand for.”
He was responding to comments made by Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservatives, who opened the session by saying she wanted to express “how horrified” she was to hear about the attack on his family home.
Ms Badenoch added: “It is completely unacceptable, and I think I speak for the whole House when I say that this wasn’t just on him, but on all of us, and our democracy.”
Sir Keir said her comments were “absolutely right”.
The prime minister also added that Ms Badenoch “did actually message me pretty well straight away” and said he really appreciated her support.
The leader of the opposition was not the only party leader to express their sympathy for the PM.
Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: “Can I offer my support to the prime minister and his family after the appalling arson attacks on his home, and can I echo his thanks to our brilliant police and firefighters.”
What do we know about the attacks so far?
Neighbours of the Starmer family home described hearing a loud bang and said police officers were looking for a projectile.
It is understood Sir Keir still owns the property, but it is now being rented out after the prime minister and his family moved into 10 Downing Street, following Labour’s local election victory.
On Tuesday, Dominic Murphy, the head of the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism command, said the force is “working at pace and continue[s] to explore various lines of enquiry”.
“The protection of MPs is something we take extremely seriously across the whole of policing.”
Commander Murphy added that any MP who is concerned should get in touch with the force.
He also said there will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days.
