On October 12, 2026, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that Russia attempted to influence the results of the Brexit referendum held in 2016. This information came to light following Burnham's inquiry into possible Russian interference in the political processes of the UK.
Admission of Interference
According to Burnham, after taking office, he inquired whether there were any facts of Russian interference in the referendum. In response, he received confirmation that such interference indeed occurred. The Prime Minister did not provide details about the nature and scale of Russian activities during the voting but emphasized that this issue requires greater attention from the authorities.
Reactions to Burnham's Statements
Burnham's statements elicited a reaction from the Britain Unbound group, which supports Brexit. They described Burnham's remarks as an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the British people's decision. At the same time, the organization acknowledged that foreign interference is unacceptable but noted that there is insufficient evidence to believe that Russia's actions affected the referendum's outcomes.
International Context
Burnham also pointed out that Russian interference is not limited to the UK. He emphasized that this issue concerns other European countries, including France and Germany. The Prime Minister discussed these matters with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during his recent visit to Germany, indicating the seriousness of the topic on an international level.