UK Prime Minister Says Russia Interfered in the Brexit Referendum

British Prime Minister Burnham has said Russia interfered in the referendum on the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union, known as Brexit. Speaking on the political podcast "The Rest is Politics", he said his advisers confirmed this. He argues that such facts should be made public so that voters in other European countries are aware of the risks of foreign influence.

Burnham said he took office this July and immediately asked his advisers to establish whether Russia had really tried to sway the vote. The answer, he said, was clear: such interference did take place.

Earlier suspicions

Suspicions about Russian attempts to influence British politics have surfaced before. In 2020, a parliamentary committee concluded that the government had not adequately assessed the possible impact of Russian state media and social media accounts on the referendum. Moscow has long denied interfering in other countries' elections.

Talks with the German chancellor

Burnham also revealed that last week in Berlin he discussed with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz the possible Russian connection to the far-right party Alternative for Germany. According to the British prime minister, Merz pointed to the party's ties with Russia and possible funding from Moscow. Burnham said disinformation spread by Russia also affects Germany's political environment.

Criticism over Manchester City

The prime minister himself has come under criticism over his relations with the owners of the football club Manchester City, which is backed by the United Arab Emirates. After the club was found guilty of breaching financial rules, questions arose about politicians' contacts with its leadership. Burnham agreed to publish information about his meetings with the club's owners, stressing that the investigation into the club's violations must be kept separate from questions about foreign investment.