UK prime minister says Russia interfered in 2016 Brexit referendum

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed that Russia interfered in the 2016 referendum on the UK's exit from the European Union (Brexit), warning voters in France and Germany about Russian attempts to influence political life in their countries.

In an interview with the podcast The Rest Is Politics, Burnham said that upon arriving at Downing Street, he immediately asked about Russian interference in the 2016 referendum and received a clear answer that it had occurred.

Burnham did not disclose details of the interference or the evidence behind his claim, and there was no immediate comment from the Russian embassy in London.

Burnham became prime minister last July. In September, he suggested that the UK could consider rejoining the EU in the future, making him the first British prime minister to openly state there is evidence of Russian interference in the referendum held a decade ago.

Russia has previously denied interfering in the Brexit vote, accusing London of being "under the influence of anti-Russian hysteria."

Burnham's remarks contrast with those of former prime minister Boris Johnson, who said in 2020 there was no evidence of Russian involvement in the referendum.

A 2020 report by the UK Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee criticized the government for failing to adequately assess the possibility of Russian interference in the Brexit referendum, noting the difficulty of determining the impact of any such attempts on the vote's outcome.

The report also addressed Russian efforts to influence the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.

Burnham stressed the importance of raising awareness among European voters about efforts to destabilize political life in their countries, emphasizing the need to document such attempts to help voters in Germany and France understand the origins of certain policies.

Renewed debate over UK's future with the EU

Burnham's comments come amid renewed debate in Britain over the future of relations with the European Union, including the possibility of rejoining the bloc a decade after the referendum.

In September, Burnham called for exploring different models for the UK's long-term relationship with Europe, saying that leaving the EU had "done more harm than good."

These remarks coincided with signs of growing public support for rejoining the EU.

A poll conducted by the Messina Group (TMG) and published by The Guardian on October 3, surveying 11,461 people, found that 49% supported the UK rejoining the EU, compared to 28.5% opposed.

Britons voted in the 2016 referendum to leave the EU by 52% to 48%, and the future of the UK's relationship with the bloc remains a key topic in British politics.