World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
UK prime minister says Russia interfered in 2016 Brexit vote
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham says Russia interfered in the 2016 referendum on whether the UK should leave the European Union.
He said he received a clear answer that interference happened but did not explain how it took place or what evidence supported his claim.
In the vote, 52% backed leaving the EU and 48% opposed it.
A 2020 parliamentary committee said the UK government had failed to establish whether Russia meddled in the referendum.
Former prime minister Boris Johnson said in 2020 that there was no evidence of Russian interference, and Russia has denied meddling.
Burnham warned voters in France and Germany to be alert to possible Russian efforts to influence their politics.
His comments renew attention on the UK’s divisive relationship with the EU, which he has said could be reconsidered in the future.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Russia interfered in the 2016 referendum on whether the UK should leave the European Union.
He said he had received a clear answer that interference took place, but did not explain how it happened or cite evidence.
Burnham warned voters in France and Germany about Russian efforts to influence their politics.
Russia has previously denied meddling in the Brexit vote.
A 2020 parliamentary committee report said the UK government had failed to establish whether Russia meddled in the referendum.
- Who
- British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Russia interfered.
- What
- Burnham said Russia interfered in the 2016 referendum on EU membership and warned about efforts to influence politics in France and Germany.
- When
- He made the comments in an interview released on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
- Where
- The referendum was in the United Kingdom; Burnham's warning concerned voters in France and Germany.
- Why
- Burnham said voters in European democracies needed to understand efforts to disrupt their politics.
Andy Burnham
Russia
Interference in the 2016 vote
Andy Burnham
Burnham said Russia interfered in the referendum.
Russia
Russia has previously denied meddling in the Brexit vote.
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,
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,
Voters in Scotland rejected independence in a referendum that a parliamentary report later said Russia had sought to influence.
Britons voted 52%-48% to leave the European Union.
A parliamentary committee report said the UK government had failed to establish whether Russia meddled in the Brexit referendum.
Burnham took over as Britain's leader.
Burnham said Russia interfered in the 2016 referendum and warned voters in France and Germany about Russian influence.
- Prime minister
- Andy Burnham
- Referendum year
- 2016
- Vote result
- 52%-48% to leave the EU
- Burnham's statement
- Russia interfered in the referendum
- Countries warned
- France and Germany
- Committee report
- 2020
Sources
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