Two charged over fire at MP Mike Freer’s office
In a statement the Metropolitan Police said they had 'carefully assessed the evidence' in relation to the December 24th incident 'and we can confirm it is not being treated as a hate crime'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Two people have been charged in connection with a fire in a shed at Finchley and Golders Green MP Mike Freer’s office in North Finchley on December 24th.
In a statement the Metropolitan Police confirmed that the same duo were also charged in relation to a fire at a restaurant in Finchley on the same night.
The Met added:”We are aware of local community concern about the incident: Detectives have carefully assessed the evidence and we can confirm it is not being treated as a hate crime.”
The fire broke out in a shed at the back of the North Finchley and Golders Green MP’s constituency office, at about 19:00 GMT on Christmas Eve.
Paul Harwood, 42, and Zara Kasory, 32, are accused of arson with intent over the fire and in connection with another blaze at the rear of a restaurant in North Finchley on the same night.
They have further been charged with one count of arson without intent in relation to a fire at the rear of a restaurant in Long Lane, N3 at around 23:00hrs the same night.
There were no reported injuries in either incident.
Both appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 4 January.
They have been remanded in custody to appear at Harrow Crown Court on Thursday, 1 February.
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