Two people have been charged in connection with a fire at the office of Conservative MP Mike Freer that took place over Christmas.

Paul Harwood, 42, and Zara Kasory, 32, both of no fixed address, were arrested on 3 January and have been charged with arson with intent.

They were further charged with one count of arson without intent relating to a fire at the back of a restaurant in Long Lane in Finchley, north London, at around 11pm on Christmas Eve.

There were no reported injuries from either incident.

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The fire at Mr Freer’s office started at around 7pm on 24 December at Ballards Lane in Finchley.

Police and the London Fire Brigade were called to the scene where the blaze was extinguished.

The Metropolitan Police said the incident is not being treated as a hate crime.

Both suspects are due to appear at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

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