UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum. However, Burnham said the evidence supporting this assessment and the impact of the interference on the referendum result had not been disclosed.
Burnham said that after taking office as prime minister, he asked whether Russia had interfered in the 2016 referendum and was given a clear answer that it had happened. No information was provided about the source of that answer.
Call for greater transparency on political interference
Burnham acknowledged that the UK government had not adequately informed the public about the extent of attempts by foreign actors to disrupt the country’s political processes. He said efforts by hostile states to interfere in politics should be documented more openly.
Burnham argued that such information would help voters in Germany and France understand that some political developments were being driven by adversaries such as Russia, and called for a more open approach to political interference.
Burnham and Merz assess the AfD
Burnham said that during his visit to Berlin this week, he discussed the threat posed by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He said Merz expressed concern about the party’s alleged links to Russia.
Burnham said he told Merz that he should be supported in confronting the threat facing Germany. He said Merz believed the AfD was openly linked to Russia and funded by it. Burnham also argued that Russia was spreading misinformation and disinformation in German politics.
