UK PM says Russia interfered in 2016 Brexit referendum

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 11 Oct, 18:54 · Archive

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit vote, the first UK PM to make such a claim openly.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum vote, becoming the first British PM to state this openly. In an interview with The Rest Is Politics podcast released on Sunday, Burnham said: 'I asked the question coming to Downing Street, was there interference in the 2016 referendum from Russia? And I've had the clear answer that yes, there was.' He did not spell out how he believed that Russia interfered or give details on what evidence this statement was based on. The Russian embassy in London did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Burnham's position marks a departure from former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who campaigned to leave the EU and said in 2020 there was no evidence of Russian interference in the referendum. Russia has previously denied meddling in the Brexit vote. Britons voted 52 per cent to 48 per cent to leave the EU in 2016, an outcome that plunged the country into significant political upheaval.

Burnham, who took office in July, said voters in European democracies needed to be better informed about efforts to disrupt their politics. 'I mean, these things are important now to put clearly on the record, and I believe, help voters in Germany and France understand that some of this politics is instigated via our enemies, namely Russia,' he said.

How it is being reported

• UK PM says Russia interfered in 2016 Brexit voteAndy Burnham has become the first British prime minister to say openly there was evidence of Russian interference in the Brexit referendum.The West Australian · 11 Oct, 18:17
• UK PM says Russia interfered in 2016 Brexit voteAndy Burnham has become the first British prime minister to say openly there was evidence of Russian interference in the Brexit referendum.Perth Now · 11 Oct, 18:17

In this story: Andy Burnham · Boris Johnson · Russia · United Kingdom · European Union · France · Germany

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem