Putin behind Brexit? The dramatic statement by the British prime minister

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on the "The Rest Is Politics" podcast that after taking office he asked for a clear answer on the question of Moscow's involvement in the Brexit referendum, and the answer he received was unequivocal: "It is clear that Russia interfered." His statement departs from the line of previous Conservative governments, which avoided making a similar determination.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on the "The Rest Is Politics" podcast that after taking office he asked to receive a clear answer on the question of whether Moscow was involved in an attempt to influence the vote in the Brexit referendum. According to him, the answer he received was unequivocal: "It is clear that Russia interfered." Burnham avoided detailing what intelligence information was presented to him and what the actual scope of the influence was. His statement departs from the line taken by previous Conservative governments, which avoided determining that Russia succeeded in influencing the referendum. A 2020 report by Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee sharply criticised the British authorities for not conducting a comprehensive investigation of Russian involvement in Brexit, in contrast to the extensive examination carried out in the United States after the 2016 presidential election. Studies conducted after the referendum identified thousands of social media accounts linked to Russia that promoted anti-European messages, against immigration, and content designed to deepen divisions within British society. Burnham argued that the British experience should serve as a warning to other European countries, especially France and Germany, where Moscow is accused of ongoing attempts to influence through disinformation and cyber activity. The remarks come alongside Burnham's attempt to re-deepen Britain's ties with the European Union. He recently sharply criticised the economic damage caused by Brexit, and called for a renewed national debate on the question of relations with the Union.