World · Europe · 1 hr ago
UK prime minister says Russia interfered in 2016 Brexit vote
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says Russia interfered in the 2016 referendum in which Britain voted to leave the European Union.
He said he asked advisers about possible interference after becoming prime minister and was told it had happened.
Burnham gave no evidence or details about how Russia allegedly influenced the vote.
In 2020, a parliamentary committee said the government had not fully assessed the possible impact of Russian activity on the referendum.
The committee also found that Russia had sought to influence Scotland’s 2014 independence referendum.
Russia has denied interfering in elections and referendums in Western countries.
Burnham says he wants voters in France and Germany to be aware of possible Russian influence in their politics.
He has also said he could campaign for Britain to rejoin the EU at the next general election.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Russia interfered in the 2016 referendum on whether Britain should leave the European Union.
He said he received a clear answer that interference had occurred after asking his advisers about it on taking office.
Burnham did not explain how Russia interfered or provide evidence for the claim.
He said he wanted voters in France and Germany to understand the risk of Russian influence in their politics.
Russia has denied meddling in elections or referendums in other countries.
- Who
- UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Russia interfered. Russia has denied meddling in other countries’ elections or referendums.
- What
- Burnham publicly said Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum. He did not provide evidence or details of how it happened.
- When
- The referendum took place in 2016. Burnham made the statement in an interview released on Sunday.
- Where
- The referendum was held in the United Kingdom. Burnham’s warning also addressed voters in France and Germany.
- Why
- Burnham said he wanted voters in France and Germany to understand the risk of Russian influence in their politics.
Andy Burnham and the UK government
Russia
Claim of interference
Andy Burnham and the UK government
Burnham said Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum.
Russia
Russia has denied meddling in the Brexit vote and in other countries’ elections or referendums.
Evidence
Andy Burnham and the UK government
Burnham said he had received a clear answer that interference occurred, but gave no evidence or details.
Russia
Russia’s position is that it did not meddle; the sources report no specific Russian response to Burnham’s latest statement.
I've had the clear answer that yes, there was.
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 was saying to me that the AfD are clearly linked to Russia, funded I believe,
There is certainly misinformation, disinformation that is emanating from Russia into German politics.
The UK Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee report later said Russia had sought to influence Scotland’s independence referendum.
British voters chose to leave the EU, with 52 per cent voting for Brexit and 48 per cent against.
A parliamentary committee reported that the UK government had failed to fully assess possible Russian influence on the EU referendum.
Burnham took over as prime minister and said he asked advisers whether Russia had interfered in the referendum.
Burnham discussed possible links between Russia and Germany’s Alternative for Germany party with Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin.
In an interview released by The Rest Is Politics, Burnham said Russia had interfered in the 2016 referendum.
- Prime minister
- Andy Burnham
- Referendum
- 2016 UK vote on EU membership
- Brexit result
- 52 per cent voted to leave; 48 per cent voted to remain
- Burnham’s evidence
- He did not provide evidence or details of how Russia interfered
- Parliamentary report
- 2020 Intelligence and Security Committee report
- Warning addressed to
- Voters in France and Germany
Sources
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