UK Prime Minister Says It’s ‘Clear’ Russia Interfered in 2016 Brexit Vote

LONDON – U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Russia clearly interfered in Britain’s 2016 vote to leave the European Union, arguing that the alleged meddling should be formally documented as countries across Europe confront similar threats.

In excerpts released Sunday from “The Rest is Politics” podcast, Burnham said he asked advisers after becoming prime minister in July whether Russia had interfered in the referendum. The full episode is due to be released Monday.

“I’ve had the clear answer that yes, there was,” Burnham said. He added that publicly documenting such activity could help voters in Germany and France recognize that some political developments are being encouraged by Britain’s adversaries, particularly Russia.

Russia has consistently denied interfering in elections or referendums held in other countries.

Burnham spoke as U.K. intelligence agencies warned that Russian interference poses a growing danger to Britain’s democratic institutions. His remarks are believed to mark the first public acknowledgment by a British prime minister that Russia interfered in the Brexit referendum.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Family Receives $1 Million Settlement After Boy Was Fatally Abused and Fed to Pigs by Father – NewsFinale

Burnham also said he discussed possible connections between Russia and Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany party with Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a meeting in Berlin last week.

“You know he was saying to me that the AfD are clearly linked to Russia, funded I believe,” Burnham said. He also pointed to misinformation and disinformation that he said was flowing from Russia into German politics.

A 2020 report by Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee concluded that the government had not fully examined the potential impact of Russian state-run media and “troll” accounts on the EU referendum.