UK PM confirms Russia interfered in Brexit referendum

Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed Russia's interference in the 2016 Brexit referendum during an interview with The Rest is Politics podcast.

Burnham stated that upon arriving in No 10, he asked about Russian involvement in the vote and was told there was interference.

He criticized the UK for not adequately informing the public about foreign efforts to disrupt the political process.

Burnham did not specify the nature or scale of Russian activity during the referendum.

Britain Unbound, a pro-Brexit campaign group, dismissed Burnham's comments as an attempt to undermine the 2016 referendum's legitimacy.

Burnham also discussed Russian interference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a recent visit to Germany.

He warned that misinformation and disinformation from Russia are affecting politics in Germany and France.

This marks the first time a UK prime minister has publicly stated Russia sought to influence the Brexit vote.

The UK government has long warned about Russian efforts to influence domestic politics, though no definitive conclusion was reached on the referendum's outcome.

In 2019, the Conservative government claimed it was 'almost certain' Russian actors interfered in that year's general election.

UK Electoral Commission head Vijay Rangarajan previously noted Russian deepfake videos were used in global elections.

Burnham announced plans to establish a new center to combat disinformation following his UN speech.