On 23 June 2016, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union by a margin of 52 percent to 48 percent. Two years earlier, on 18 September 2014, Scotland had voted to remain part of the United Kingdom in its own independence referendum.
Upon assuming the role in July, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was informed of a link to Russian interference in the 2016 referendum. In an interview with The Rest Is Politics podcast, he stated that he asked the question as soon as he arrived at Downing Street and received a very clear answer: yes, there was a link. Burnham emphasized that he did not provide specific evidence but said the intelligence services gave him a clear affirmative response.
Burnham argued that making such links public is important for voters in Germany and France, especially as far‑right parties with ties to Russia gain popularity. He cited German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said the AfD party is clearly linked to and funded by Russia. Burnham also acknowledged ongoing Russian disinformation campaigns in German politics, saying there is certainly misinformation and disinformation emanating from Russia into German politics.
The prime minister’s stance aligns with a report released on 1 January 2020 by the UK Intelligence and Security Committee.
The prime minister’s stance aligns with a report released on 1 January 2020 by the UK Intelligence and Security Committee. That report found the government had failed to fully assess the impact of Russian state media and troll accounts on the Brexit vote. It also noted Russian efforts to influence Scotland’s 2014 independence referendum. Burnham contrasted his position with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who in 2020 denied any evidence of Russian sway, and noted that Labour’s Keir Starmer had previously avoided the topic.
Who benefited from Britain leaving the EU? Who wanted Europeans divided? Who interfered in our democracy? I'm pleased Andy Burnham is putting Russian interference in Brexit on the record. Europe needs to hear this. https://t.co/NFNv8Pmhof
UK intelligence agencies have warned that Russian disinformation, cyberattacks and espionage are ongoing and may be aided by artificial intelligence. Despite these warnings, Russia continues to deny meddling in foreign elections. Burnham said it is important to put these facts clearly on the record so that voters in neighbouring countries can understand that some policy proposals are instigated by what he described as their enemies, mainly Russia.
By labeling Moscow as an enemy and publicly confirming Russian interference through social media disinformation, Burnham has broken with the silence of his predecessors. He is the first British leader to openly accuse Russia of tampering with the Brexit referendum, and he frames the disclosure as a warning to fellow European leaders about the risks of foreign influence in upcoming campaigns.