GOVERNMENT officials are investigating the possibility of Russia having links to arson attacks at properties belonging to Sir Keir Starmer, it is claimed.
Two homes and a car previously owned by the Prime Minister were torched earlier this month.
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Officials probing whether the three Ukrainian-born men charged with arson or conspiring to commit arson were recruited by the Kremlin, according to senior Whitehall figures.
This is just one of many lines of investigation being explored.
Talks are ongoing on how to respond if this proves to be the case, they told the Financial Times.
Even if there are found to be Russian links that does not mean the suspects were aware of any Kremlin involvement.
Cops have already said they suspect the trio of suspects could be part of a wider community.
However, they are keeping an open mind about motive.
The inquiry is being led by the Met’s counterterrorism command due to the connection to a high profile public figure, the force previously confirmed.
The suspects have been charged with criminal as opposed to national security offences.
Petro Pochynok, 34, is accused of conspiring to damage by fire the PM’s former Toyota Rav4, a property where he once lived and his family’s former house with intent to endanger life.
Models Roman Lavrynovych, 21, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, are also charged with plotting arsons between April 17 and May 13.
The charges relate to a vehicle fire in Kentish Town on May 8, a fire at the entrance of a property in Islington on May 11 and a fire at a residential address in Kentish Town in the early hours of May 12.
The three suspects deny the charges.
On Monday, police raided a two-bed North London flat said to have been previously shared by Pochynok and Carpiuc, his dad and brother until about six months ago.
Pochynok is said to have last visited the property three weeks ago.
Six officers were seen carrying evidence bags out after spending about four hours inside.
Carpiuc was arrested last Saturday at Luton Airport as he prepared to catch a Wizz Air flight to Romania.
He studied business at Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent, and is awaiting his results.
On website StarNow.com, Carpiuc said he wanted to be the “top male model in the world”.
The suspects have not displayed any links to Russia.
One has previously posted pro Ukraine messaging on social media.
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