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Updated 1w+ ago · World
Burnham Says Russia Interfered in 2016 Brexit Vote
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum. He spoke on the Rest is Politics podcast.
- Burnham asked about Russian involvement on arriving in Downing Street this summer.
- He said he received "the clear answer that yes, there was."
- He discussed Russian influence with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin.
- Downing Street declined to describe the briefing the prime minister received.
Why it matters: Both outlets report this is thought to be the first time a prime minister has confirmed the interference. The remarks are likely to fuel speculation that Burnham wants to reverse Brexit.
- Burnham said UK voters were not "informed sufficiently" about foreign efforts to disrupt politics.
- A 2020 parliamentary committee report found the government failed to fully assess Russian influence on the vote.
How 25 sources split on this story
Source landscape
Factuality
High
Mixed
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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right
Political Bias
Coverage by lean
25 sources · 47 articles · 52% Center coverage
Where they split: The dispute is whether Russian interference matters to the referendum's legitimacy, or whether a clear result makes it irrelevant.
Center13 sources
BBC News1w+MI5 chief warns against overstating Russian interference in Brexit voteReuters1w+UK PM Burnham says Russia interfered in 2016 Brexit voteAssociated Press1w+UK prime minister say it is ‘clear’ Russia interfered in 2016 Brexit referendumBloomberg1w+Burnham Opens Fight Over Russia’s Brexit Role Before EU SpeechCTV News1w+It is ‘clear’ Russia interfered in 2016 Brexit referendum, U.K. PM saysDeutsche Welle1w+UK's Burnham accuses Russia of meddling in Brexit voteFinancial Times1w+Russia ‘interfered’ in 2016 Brexit vote, says BurnhamFrance 241w+UK PM Burnham warns French voters of Russian political influence on back of Brexit voteJerusalem Post1w+UK PM Burnham says Russia interfered in 2016 Brexit voteThe Hill1w+UK prime minister say it is ‘clear’ Russia interfered in 2016 Brexit referendumWGAL 81w+UK prime minister say it's 'clear' Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendumWPXI Pittsburgh1w+UK prime minister say it is 'clear' Russia interfered in 2016 Brexit referendumYahoo News1w+UK PM Burnham says Russia interfered in 2016 Brexit vote
Left coverage, 7 sources: The left sees a historic confirmation of Kremlin meddling and a needed step toward informing voters about foreign threats to democracy.
The Independent1w+Russia did try to interfere into Brexit referendum, MI5 boss confirmsThe Guardian1w+Russia did try to interfere in Brexit referendum, head of MI5 confirmsABC News1w+UK prime minister says it's 'clear' Russia interfered in Brexit referendumAl Jazeera1w+UK PM Andy Burnham says it is ‘clear’ Russia interfered in 2016 Brexit voteHuffPost1w+UK Prime Minister Reveals ‘Clear Answer’ He Got About Russia And BrexitPolitical Wire1w+Andy Burnham Confirms Russia Interfered in Brexit VoteThe Washington Post1w+U.K. prime minister accuses Russia of meddling in Brexit vote
Right coverage, 5 sources: The right sees a claim that serves Burnham's push to reopen EU membership, which it notes he once vowed not to do.
Daily Mail1w+MI5 boss warns the debate on Russian interference in the Brexit vote risks empowering Kremlin trollsThe Sun1w+Andy Burnham puts foot in it leaving an urgent clean-up of Brexit messBreitbart News1w+Farage: 'Hypocritical' Burnham Running From His Own Words on BrexitThe Epoch Times1w+British Prime Minister Says Russia Meddled in 2016 Referendum on Leaving EUFrontPage Magazine1w+UK PM Reboots Russiagate to Target ‘Brexit’
What’s next: At Labour's conference last month, Burnham said he would explore options for closer ties with the EU.
- Rejoining the EU could feature in Labour's next manifesto.
- Burnham has refused to say whether rejoining would require another referendum.
- What evidence underpins the government's conclusion, and will any of it be made public?
- Did the interference have any measurable effect on the referendum result?
- Will Burnham commit to a rejoin policy, and through what process?
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