An arsonist has admitted setting fire to Tory MP Mike Freer’s constituency office in North London in a terrifying incident that caused the minister to announce he was quitting politics.
Paul Harwood, 42, was charged with arson with intent after a shed was set alight at the justice minister’s office in Ballards Lane, North Finchley, on Christmas Eve last year.
Photos revealed the extent of the damage caused by the fire, with charred remains of office furniture and blackened bricks on the exterior of he building.
Mr Freer announced he would be stepping down from politics amid concerns for his safety shortly after the incident, which he described to the Mail as ‘the final straw’.
Appearing at the Old Bailey today via a video link from Wormwood Scrubs, Harwood, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the offence but denied his actions were politically motivated.
He also pleaded guilty to arson without intent over another blaze, which took place at the back of a restaurant in Long Lane, Finchley, at around 11pm on the same evening.
An arsonist has admitted setting fire to Tory MP Mike Freer’s constituency office in North London. Pictured: Mike Freer
Pictures show the damage caused by the blaze which took place on Christmas Eve last year
Zara Kasory, 32, was also charged with arson with intent and arson without intent in relation to the two fires on December 24.
She appeared at the Old Bailey via a video link from HMP Bronzefield and she denied both offences.
His Honour Judge John Lodge said a trial date would be set once Harwood’s pleas had been considered.
Earlier in the hearing, Prosecutor Thomas Coke-Smyth said: ‘For the fire at Long Lane, the defendants face the simple charge of arson, but for the fire at Ballards Lane, Mr Freer’s constituency office, they face the more serious charge of arson with intent, in that they were reckless in respect of whether other people’s lives would be endangered.’
Judge Lodge set Kasory’s next appearance for 12 March.
After the fire, Mr Freer announced he would be stepping down as MP for Finchley and Golders Green at the next general election.
The Tory minister, who has served as an MP since 2010, explained: ‘There comes a point when the threats to your personal safety become too much.’
Harwood, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the offence but denied his actions were politically motivated
Fire engines are seen outside Mr Freer’s office as they investigated the arson attack on Christmas Eve
Mr Freer was separately threatened by a man who told the MP ‘I’m coming for you’ in a series of threatening phone calls.
James Phillips, 46, called Mr Freer’s constituency office in Finchley, north London three times at 4.45pm on January 31 and spoke to a female worker there.
During the first two phone calls, ‘heavy breathing’ could be heard down the line, and on the third, Phillips said: ‘Tell the police I’m coming for you, you c***. Not just Mike Freer, but you as well.’
The phone call was made on the same day that Mr Freer, the MP for Finchley and Golders Green, revealed he would be standing down at the next election following a series of death threats he received after expressing pro-Israel views.
