Starmer ‘very pleased’ after arson attack convictions in 2025

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said justice had been done after two men were convicted on Wednesday of carrying out a series of arson attacks that targeted properties connected to him and his family earlier this year. The verdicts brought an end to a case that shook Westminster and raised urgent questions about the security of senior political figures.

Starmer speaks out after verdict

Speaking outside Downing Street shortly after the jury returned its verdicts, Starmer said he was relieved the case had concluded. “I’m very pleased, for my family’s sake, that justice has been done,” he said, his voice measured but the relief evident. It’s been a difficult few months for those close to him, and the prime minister didn’t shy away from acknowledging that.

The two men, who cannot be named for legal reasons pending a separate ongoing hearing, were found guilty on all counts after a trial lasting 11 days at the Old Bailey. Sentencing is expected within the next three weeks.

The attacks and their targets

The arson attacks took place across a six-week window in early 2025, with at least four separate incidents recorded between January and February. Two properties in north London were targeted, along with a vehicle registered to a family member. One of the fires caused structural damage estimated at around £180,000. Nobody was seriously injured, though a neighbour required treatment for smoke inhalation after one of the incidents.

Police launched a major investigation almost immediately, deploying specialist counter-terrorism officers alongside the Metropolitan Police’s arson unit. CCTV footage captured from 14 separate cameras across the relevant areas proved central to building the prosecution’s case.

Security concerns raised in parliament

The case sparked a broader debate about how the government protects its most senior figures. But critics argued that existing protocols had gaps, particularly around family members and properties not classified as official residences. A Home Office review was quietly ordered in March, though its findings haven’t yet been made public.

A spokesperson for the Crown Prosecution Service called the convictions a significant result. “This was a serious and sustained campaign of criminal behaviour designed to intimidate,” they said. “We hope this outcome sends a clear message.”

Still, some security analysts warned that the verdict alone won’t resolve the underlying vulnerabilities exposed by the attacks.

What comes next

Starmer’s office confirmed he’d been briefed on the verdict before it was made public. And while the prime minister was measured in his public response, sources close to him said privately that the past several months had been genuinely stressful for his family.

The sentencing date is yet to be formally confirmed but is expected before the end of June. Both men face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment under arson with intent to endanger life charges.

The Home Office review, meanwhile, is expected to recommend changes to the security arrangements for senior ministers by the autumn.