Burnham Revives Russian Meddling Claims Over Brexit Referendum

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has renewed allegations of Russian interference in the United Kingdom’s 2016 Brexit referendum, saying he received confirmation of Moscow’s involvement after taking office in July.

Speaking on the Rest Is Politics podcast broadcast on Monday, Burnham said he had specifically asked officials at Downing Street whether Russia had interfered in the referendum, which saw British voters narrowly choose to leave the European Union.

“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 said.

The claim comes despite a 2020 report by a UK parliamentary committee, which said it could not confirm Russian interference in the Brexit vote. The committee nevertheless faulted the Conservative government of the time for failing to investigate potential meddling.

Adding to the allegations, Junior Foreign Minister Stephen Doughty told LBC radio on Monday that Russia had “attempted” to interfere in the referendum but had “not succeeded”.

Burnham also expressed concern about Russia’s alleged influence on Germany’s political landscape, citing a conversation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about the country’s far-right opposition party, Alternative for Germany.

According to Burnham, Merz told him that the AfD “is clearly linked to Russia — funded, I believe”.

“There is certainly misinformation, disinformation that is emanating from Russia into German politics,” the British prime minister added.

He urged the UK to work with European partners to raise awareness of alleged foreign influence on political movements and public opinion.

Britain should “help voters in Germany and France understand that some of this politics is instigated via our enemies”, he said.

Burnham has also accused Moscow of attempting to interfere in other British elections. Addressing world leaders at the United Nations last month, he said the UK had “evidence” that Russia tried to influence the 2019 general election.

As part of efforts to address the threat, he announced the establishment of a new disinformation centre designed to counter “hostile state information attacks”.

Meanwhile, the prime minister was scheduled to address parliament later on Monday, calling on MPs to pursue a new agreement with the European Union and establish closer relations with the bloc.

The proposed push would reopen the politically sensitive Brexit debate, which has largely been avoided since the UK formally left the EU in 2020.

In a statement ahead of his address, Burnham’s office said: “Andy Burnham will declare it would be a dereliction of duty to turn our back on the possibility of a new deal with the EU.”

It added: “He will say we must face up to the reality that Brexit has done more harm than good and that the status quo is not good enough for Britain.”

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