Zakharova calls version of Russian involvement in arson of Starmer’s home a “debut of schizophrenia”

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has commented on reports by British media about the alleged involvement of a Russian national in the arson of the home and car of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, calling the version a “debut of schizophrenia.”

The statement was made on Sputnik radio.

According to Zakharova, the arson story served Starmer’s political purposes — to “stay afloat” and portray him as a victim. The diplomat pointed to serious domestic political problems facing the British government: “You can see what is happening with the British government: the defense minister resigned, a string of scandals, monstrous unpopularity.”

Zakharova also described the essence of the version put forward, in her words, by “British scholars”: that the arsonists were allegedly directed by an international relations student whose diplomat father works in Moscow — through messaging app accounts.

“This is a debut of schizophrenia that closes all questions about the adequacy of what is happening in Britain’s political and information space. This is beyond the pale. Such nonsense can only be invented by an inflamed mind,” the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said.