British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Monday it was “clear” Russia had interfered in the UK’s bitter 2016 Brexit referendum, renewing claims of meddling by Moscow.
Burnham said he inquired about Russian involvement in the divisive ballot, in which Britons voted by a narrow margin to leave the European Union, when he became prime minister in July.
“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,” Burnham told the Rest is Politics podcast broadcast on Monday.
A UK parliamentary committee said in 2020 it could not confirm Russian meddling in the Brexit vote but criticised the Conservatives in power at the time for failing to probe possible interference.
Junior foreign minister Stephen Doughty alleged to LBC radio on Monday that Russia “attempted” to interfere in the vote but had “not succeeded”.
Burnham also said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had told him that Germany’s far-right opposition party AfD, “is clearly linked to Russia — funded, I believe”.
“There is certainly misinformation, disinformation that is emanating from Russia into German politics,” said Burnham.
He said Britain should “help voters in Germany and France understand that some of this politics is instigated via our enemies”.
The new UK leader has renewed accusations of Russian interference, telling the gathering of world leaders at the United Nations last month that London had “evidence” Moscow tried to meddle with the 2019 general election.
He also announced a new disinformation centre to combat “hostile state information attacks”.
Later on Monday, Burnham was set to address parliament and urge MPs to seek a new deal and closer ties with the European Union, reopening the divisive Brexit debate which has been politically taboo since Britain officially left the EU in 2020.
“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,” his office said.
“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.”
