PM states it is ‘clear’ Russia interfered in Brexit vote amid European disinformation warnings

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated that intelligence assessments confirm Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum, warning that comparable disinformation campaigns are currently targeting political processes in France and Germany.

In an interview with The Rest is Politics podcast, released ahead of its Monday broadcast, Burnham revealed that one of his first inquiries upon moving into Downing Street was regarding foreign attempts to influence the historic vote. “I’ve had the clear answer that, yes, there was,” he said, asserting that the UK had previously been too reactive in addressing overseas disruptions to its democracy.

Burnham did not elaborate on the specific tactics used by Moscow during the EU membership vote. However, he confirmed that he raised the issue of Russian disinformation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during recent diplomatic talks.

“There is certainly misinformation, disinformation that is emanating from Russia into German politics,” Burnham said. He emphasized the importance of putting these threats on record to help voters across Europe recognize when political maneuvering is instigated by adversaries.

The comments mark the first time a sitting UK prime minister has explicitly claimed Russia sought to sway the Brexit outcome. While the 2020 report by Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee criticized successive governments for failing to fully assess the threat, it stopped short of a definitive conclusion on whether the referendum result was influenced. The Kremlin has consistently denied meddling in foreign elections, dismissing past reports as “Russophobia.”

Reactions to the Prime Minister’s statement were mixed. Britain Unbound, a pro-Brexit campaign group, condemned the remarks as an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the 2016 decision. While acknowledging that foreign interference is unacceptable, the group maintained there is no evidence Russian intervention changed the result, calling the suggestion insulting to voters.

The disclosure follows broader concerns about modern disinformation tactics. BBC Verify has documented Russian-linked campaigns using AI to generate deepfakes impersonating journalists, including fabricated reports about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Earlier this year, Vijay Rangarajan, head of the UK Electoral Commission, warned MPs that such deepfakes were used extensively worldwide and that Britain should not expect to be an exception.

Last month, during a speech to the United Nations, Burnham accused Russian agencies of exploiting fears to spread lies. In response, he announced the creation of a new center aimed at countering disinformation. A Downing Street spokesperson added that the government is strengthening national security powers, border controls, and intelligence capabilities to protect democratic institutions from foreign proxies.