Starmer arson accused refused to film attack, court told

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Starmer arson accused refused to film attack, court told20 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleTom BealandDaniel De Simone ,Investigations correspondentMetropolitan PoliceSir Keir Starmer's former Toyota car was set alight in May 2025A Ukrainian man accused of conspiring to set fire to a car linked to Sir Keir Starmer has told a court that he refused to film the attack despite an alleged accomplice "begging" him to. Ukrainian-born Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc , 27, is on trial alongside Ukrainian nationals Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Petro Pochynok, 35. They deny targeting two properties and a car linked to the prime minister in May 2025.

All three, who live in London, are charged with conspiring together - and "with others" - to damage property by fire between 1 April and 13 May 2025. They deny the charges. Giving evidence, Carpiuc told the Old Bailey that his friend Lavrynovych carried out the first alleged arson attack for "money' - and that he had tried to persuade him not to do it.

The Details

A Toyota previously owned by Sir Keir was set alight on 8 May 2025 in a street where he once lived. Lavrynonych admits starting the fire. In his evidence Carpiuc said that Lavrynovych "wanted to set fire to the car and he also wanted me to make a video".

Carpiuc said that when Lavrynovych told him of this plan he replied that it was "pure stupidity". Carpiuc said he "explained to him that walking around in the streets of the city setting fire to cars is not a good idea - it's a very serious crime". He said Lavrynovych then told him that he wouldn't set fire to the car but would break one of its windows.

Carpiuc told the court he also rejected any involvement in this plan, but passed on contact details for Pochynok. Metropolitan PoliceThe three men charged (from left to right): Petro Pochynok, Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav CarpiucAddressing the court through a Russian translator, Carpiuc said he knew Lavrynovych was to be paid by "El Money" but he did not know who he was. Lavrynovych had wanted money by 10 May to pay for his father's medical treatment, Carpiuc told the jury.

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Answering questions from his barrister Shahid Rashid, Carpiuc said he was working at a west London hotel between 2100 BST on 8 May and 0900 on the 9 May, which is when the car was set on fire. He said he received a phone call from Pochynok, whom he described as "scared" because "Lavrynovych had set fire to a car". Carpiuc said he then spoke on the phone to Lavrynovych and "told him he's gone mad".

He said Lavrynovych "was trying to calm me down. He told me 'yes', he had set fire to car, but the fire burnt out". Lavrynovych had previously told the court that he set fire to the Toyota because he had been recruited by a Russian-speaking online account he called "El Money", that had offered him money in exchange for setting light to the car and properties.

Carpiuc told jurors that he knew Lavrynovych was to be paid by "El Money" but he did not know who he was.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.