Latest news with #LadyStarmer
Telegraph
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Ukrainian man charged over fires at homes linked to Keir Starmer
A Ukrainian national has been charged in connection with a series of arson attacks which appeared to target Sir Keir Starmer. Roman Lavrynovych, 21, is charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life. They relate to an attack on the Prime Minister's home on May 12, the entrance of a property linked to Sir Keir on May 11, and an electric vehicle fire on May 8, police said. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday. Counter-terror police have been leading the investigation. A suspicious blaze broke out at a property in Tufnell Park, north London, where the Prime Minister lived while in opposition, just after 1.30am on Monday. It followed a suspected arson attack at a second north London property linked to Sir Keir 24 hours earlier, and an electric car fire on May 8. Nobody was hurt in the blaze at Sir Keir's family home, which is being rented out to Lady Starmer's sister for a peppercorn rent. Neighbours in the quiet, tree-lined street described how they were woken by a loud bang in the early hours. Charles Grant, 66, who lives on the same road, said: 'I heard a loud noise at around midnight. I was half asleep. It was some sort of bang. I went back to sleep. I don't think the damage was too extensive as the house is still standing. 'The front door and the brickwork on either side is black and charred but the door is still standing. It smells of burnt stuff. The police said the damage is not extensive – just needs a bit of paintwork.'
The Independent
30-01-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Look What You Made Me Do: Starmer pays up for Swift merchandise
Sir Keir Starmer declined to keep signed baseball caps given to him by Donald Trump – but bought Taylor Swift merchandise he was given by the star's record label. A record of gifts received by the Prime Minister showed the US President gave him the caps in September when the pair had dinner before Mr Trump's election victory. The hats have been held by the Cabinet Office, rather than purchased by Sir Keir personally. The Prime Minister also declined to pay for a watch, baseball, book and sunglasses given by Joe Biden, or a necklace and photograph for Lady Starmer offered by then-first lady Jill Biden. But Sir Keir, who saw Shake It Off star Swift perform at Wembley, paid an undisclosed sum for merchandise donated by Universal Music Operations Ltd in August. The merchandise, given to Sir Keir on August 28, was included in a register of gifts valued at more than £140 offered to the Prime Minister. Sir Keir was embroiled in a row over ministerial freebies over tickets to see Swift perform at Wembley on her Eras Tour, eventually paying for four tickets from Universal Music Group totalling £2,800. Another gift listed as 'purchased by the minister' was the price of hiring a hat for Lady Starmer donated by Stephen Jones Millinery on August 30. Most other ministers declined to purchase gifts they had received, leaving their departments to hold on to them. However, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy bought £806 worth of Team GB and Paralympics GB kit she had been given by the British Olympic Committee and Paralympics GB respectively. Foreign Secretary David Lammy purchased £175 worth of chocolate he had been given by the Kuwaiti embassy, while Chancellor Rachel Reeves used a £200 Harrods hamper from the Qatari embassy for hospitality purposes.
