UK Prime Minister says Russia interfered in Brexit referendum
Photo: Andy Burnham, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (Getty Images)
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham states that Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum. He also warns of Russian disinformation in France and Germany, according to the BBC.
Burnham says that after taking office at the Prime Minister's residence, he decided to investigate whether Russia had attempted to influence the 2016 referendum.
According to him, the answer was unequivocal: Russian interference did indeed take place.
"I've had the clear answer that, yes, there was," Burnham says.
He acknowledges that British authorities had previously not been open enough about attempts by other countries to influence political processes.
"I think we've been too much on the back foot on that actually and we haven't informed people sufficiently about the extent to which people are seeking to disrupt the political process from overseas," the Prime Minister adds.
At the same time, Burnham does not disclose exactly how Moscow acted during the referendum, the extent of its activities, or whether it influenced the outcome of the vote.
In the June 23, 2016, referendum, a majority of Britons voted for the country to leave the EU. The decision marked one of the most significant political turning points in modern British history.
How Brexit supporters reacted
Burnham's statements are criticized by the pro-Brexit group Britain Unbound. They call his comments yet another attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the decision made by British voters in 2016.
At the same time, the group emphasizes that foreign interference in elections is unacceptable. However, its representatives state that there are no compelling grounds to believe that Russia's actions influenced the outcome of the referendum.
Brexit supporters also called the suggestion that voters could have been easily deceived offensive.
Burnham warns of Russian disinformation in France and Germany
The British Prime Minister also says that he discussed Russian influence on politics with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a visit to the country in early October.
According to Burnham, Russian disinformation is already spreading in the German political sphere.
"There is certainly misinformation, disinformation that is emanating from Russia into German politics," he says.
The Prime Minister believes that an open discussion of this issue will help voters in Germany and France better understand how foreign states may attempt to influence political processes.
According to him, some of these campaigns may be aimed at destabilizing society and exacerbating divisions within countries.
In August 2026, the United Kingdom issued a warning about a high risk of Russian attacks and espionage against defense companies supplying weapons to Ukraine.
In early October, London also imposed new sanctions against Russia, specifically targeting shadow fleet vessels, propagandists, and those involved in the torture of Ukrainians in the occupied territories.
Burnham also stated that London would not lift sanctions against Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, despite a corresponding decision by the EU.
