British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was told on taking office that Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum. He did not disclose the underlying intelligence. His comments revive a question Parliament criticised the government for failing to investigate fully, as he calls for more openness about foreign interference in European politics.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he asked on entering Downing Street whether Russia had interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum and received a clear affirmative answer. He made the disclosure on The Rest is Politics podcast. Burnham did not identify who provided the assessment, release the underlying intelligence or say whether interference changed the result.[1], [2]
Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee criticised the government for failing to investigate possible Russian influence fully. It pointed to Russian state media and social media accounts and the absence of a post-referendum assessment. Downing Street declined to discuss the contents of Burnham’s briefing and said protecting citizens and institutions from foreign powers and their proxies was its focus.[1], [2]
Burnham argued that voters in Britain, France and Germany needed more information about attempts to disrupt politics from abroad. He said he discussed Russian influence with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during his recent Berlin visit. He also alleged Russian disinformation in German politics. Burnham told the UN General Assembly the previous month there was evidence of an attempt to interfere in a British general election. These remain the prime minister’s attributed assessments.[1], [2]
