This is quite the intervention from the Prime Minister – and Andy Burnham has become the first British leader in the last 10 years to confirm that the Brexit referendum was targeted by ‘clear interference’ from state-sponsored Russian agents.
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Andy Burnham reveals ‘clear interference’ from Russia in Brexit vote
Suspicions had been raised in the immediate aftermath of the referendum result, but the architects behind the Vote Leave campaign have vehemently denied there was any involvement or support from Russia. Alas, the PM has gone public with his concerns over the weekend.
Speaking to Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart on The Rest is Politics podcast, Burnham says one of the first questions he asked upon entering Downing Street was about the extent of Russian interference in British democracy – and the response he received was as damning as it was clear.
“I’ve asked a question coming in as Prime Minister. But I don’t think we knew, back then, the extent to which there was state-sponsored interference in the British democratic process. I’ve asked if there was interference in the 2016 Brexit referendum from Russia – and I’ve had the clear answer of ‘yes, there was’.”
“These things are important now to put clearly in the record, and help voters to understand that some of these politics are instigated by our enemies, and those in Russia. We have been too much on the backfoot, and we haven’t informed people sufficiently about these disruptions.” | Andy Burnham
How will this impact the UK relationship with the EU?
The statements coincide with Andy Burnham’s recent declarations of wanting the UK to align much more closely with the EU, stating that ‘nothing is off the table’ in terms of repairing the relationship. Returns to the customs union and the single market are, reportedly, up for consideration.
A full ‘rejoin’ – essentially undoing the Brexit vote – has also not been ruled out. Given the Labour leader’s strong words on the matter here, Burnham may find himself emboldened to take a stronger position on plotting the way forward. Just in time for the upcoming UK-EU summit, no less…