Burnham confirmed Russian interference in Brexit vote

12.10.2026 07:00 HotInfo

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed that Russia interfered in the 2016 referendum on Brexit. This is the first public admission by a British prime minister that Moscow influenced the campaign ahead of the vote on the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union. ORF ↗

Burnham stated that he had asked about this matter at the British government's headquarters on Downing Street. According to his own words, he received a clear answer there that Russian interference had indeed occurred. However, he did not disclose details about the manner, scope, or specific activities of Moscow. Deutschlandfunk ↗

British governments have not clearly confirmed Russian interference in the referendum until now. A 2020 report by British intelligence services documented earlier Russian attempts to influence political processes. The question of the extent of Russian influence on the referendum therefore remained a subject of public and political debate. Der Standard ↗

Burnham also warned that similar activities, in his view, are taking place at present as well. He warned against Russian disinformation in France and Germany. The warning comes at a time when the British government is talking about the need for closer relations with the European Union. BBC News ↗

The prime minister's statement could revive the debate on the security of democratic elections and on measures against foreign interference. However, further details that would clarify the specific impact of Russia on the outcome of the British referendum are not yet known.