It Is Clear: UK PM Says Russia Interfered In 2016 Brexit Vote

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said Russia interfered in the UK's 2016 referendum on leaving the European Union (EU), marking the first time a British prime minister has publicly acknowledged such interference. However, Burnham has not disclosed the evidence behind the claim, while the government maintains that Russian attempts did not change the referendum's outcome.

In excerpts from 'The Rest Is Politics' podcast released on Sunday, Burnham said he asked his advisers about Russian interference after taking office in July. “I've had the clear answer that yes, there was,” he said, stressing the need to put such findings on the record to warn other European countries about similar threats.

“These things are important now to put clearly on the record,” Burnham said, adding that he wanted voters in Germany and France to understand that some political developments could be instigated by hostile foreign actors, particularly Russia.

The 2016 Brexit referendum saw 51.9 per cent of voters support leaving the EU, against 48.1 per cent who voted to remain. The result led to Britain's departure from the bloc in January 2020.

A parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee report published in 2020 criticised the government for failing to conduct a thorough assessment of possible Russian interference in the referendum. It raised concerns about Russian state-backed media and online troll accounts but did not establish whether Moscow's activities affected the result. The report also examined Russian interference in Scotland's 2014 independence referendum.

Burnham has not identified who provided him with the assessment or detailed the evidence supporting his statement. Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said on Monday that Russia had attempted to interfere in the referendum but had not succeeded. Downing Street also maintained that the result remained legitimate and said Burnham accepted it.

The remarks have drawn criticism from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, a prominent Brexit campaigner, who rejected the allegation. Russia has repeatedly denied interfering in other countries' elections and referendums.

Burnham's comments come amid renewed debate over Britain's future relationship with the EU. He has argued that the UK should reconsider its options, including the possibility of rejoining the bloc, saying Brexit had failed to deliver on supporters' promise of “taking back control”.

During a meeting in Berlin last week, Burnham also discussed Russian influence with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, including alleged links between Moscow and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Burnham said Merz had described the party as linked to Russia and suggested it received funding, although he qualified the funding claim as his understanding. He also warned about Russian misinformation and disinformation in German politics.