Mike Freer: Man admits arson over fire at MP's constituency office

The fire at Mike Freer's office was one of two in the area on the same evening

A man has admitted setting fire to a shed at Conservative MP Mike Freer's constituency office, but denied his actions were politically motivated.

Paul Harwood, 42, started the fire at the MP's office in North Finchley, north London, on Christmas Eve.

The defendant was also charged over another arson attack at a nearby property on the same night.

He appeared at the Old Bailey via video-link and pleaded guilty to two charges of arson.

The fire spread from the shed to the main constituency building

The charge relating to Mr Freer stated that Harwood "damaged by fire to a shed…belonging to Mike Freer intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged and being reckless as to whether life to others would be endangered".

The other charge stated that Harwood without "lawful excuse… damaged by fire a bin belonging to another… intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether property was damaged".

Harwood's barrister Tim Williams submitted that the offences were "not in any way politically motivated or targeted".

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Mr Freer, 63, cited the fire and unrelated death threats he had received as reasons he would be standing down as an MP at the next election.

Mr Freer, who has pro-Israel views, was first elected as MP for Finchley and Golders Green in May 2010.

Mike Freer said he had been attacked in the past because of his views on the Middle East

A second defendant, Zara Kasory, 32, from North Finchley, denied the same charges and faces trial at Harrow Crown Court on 1 July.

Judge John Lodge remanded both defendants into custody.

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