Politics

Burnham says Russia interfered in Brexit vote, warns French voters

France 24 reports that UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham cited unspecified evidence of Russian interference in the 2016 Brexit referendum.

Updated Oct 13, 2026 · 18:33 UTC9 reports

The short version

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum, according to France 24.[France 24]
He warned French and German voters of possible Russian influence in upcoming elections.[France 24]
Burnham gave no details on how interference occurred or what evidence supports his claim.[France 24]
Russia has denied meddling, and a 2020 parliamentary committee found the government failed to establish whether it did.[France 24]

Burnham said on The Rest is Politics podcast that Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum.[France 24]
Burnham said that upon entering Downing Street he asked about Russian interference and received a clear affirmative answer.[France 24]
Burnham did not spell out how Russia interfered or what evidence his statement was based on.[France 24]
Russia has previously denied meddling in the Brexit vote.[France 24]
Former British leader Boris Johnson said in 2020 that there was no evidence of Russian interference in the Brexit referendum.[France 24]
A 2020 report by parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee found the government failed to establish whether Russia meddled in the 2016 referendum.[France 24]

Whether Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum is unverified; Burnham offered no supporting evidence in the reporting.[France 24]
Burnham's claim conflicts with Russia's prior denials and Johnson's 2020 statement that no evidence of interference existed.[France 24]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.