Farage calls Burnham a liar over claim Russia interfered in Brexit referendum
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage told a press conference that Prime Minister Andy Burnham was lying when he said Russia interfered in the Brexit referendum. Farage also spoke on Ukrainian elections, immigration and Brexit's effect on business.
Nigel Farage, leader of the right-wing party Reform UK, called UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham "a liar" at a press conference on 12 October. The row centres on Burnham's claim that Russia interfered in the 2016 referendum on the UK leaving the European Union (Brexit). The remarks continue a political dispute sparked by Burnham's comments on Russian influence over the referendum campaign.
Dispute over Russian interference
Farage said that Boris Johnson, on becoming foreign secretary, had asked whether Russian interference in the campaign had been detected, and was told it had not. He also pointed to Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty, who he said had, within 24 hours, walked back Burnham's remark by saying that even if there had been some interference, it made no difference. Farage spoke of a "Russia hoax" and mentioned his supporter Arron Banks, who he said won a libel case in the high court.
He also challenged Burnham's view that Brexit has done more harm than good. In Farage's assessment, UK growth figures are nothing special but are better than those of France, Germany and Italy. He accepted that trading with the EU has become more inconvenient, while arguing that some firms trading outside the EU have found life easier.
Ukraine, immigration and the Conservatives
Asked about US President Donald Trump saying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should be replaced, Farage said Ukraine needs an election at some point, but that the timing remains to be seen. Zelenskyy argues that no election should be held during the war and that it would be illegal under martial law. Farage noted that Britain held a general election in 1945 while the war continued; in fact it took place in July, two months after the war in Europe ended.
Farage said he does not back Trump's plan to buy diesel from Russia, and accused EU states, chiefly Germany, of buying Russian energy. He also declared that the Conservative Party cannot win the next election, and said Reform UK would stop anyone being granted asylum for five years.
