UK Prime Minister Claims 'Clear Answer' Pointing to Russian Interference in Brexit Referendum Without Disclosing Evidence, Contradicting Parliamentary Official Conclusion

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham publicly claimed on Sunday that Russia had interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum, and based on this assertion, whose details have not been made public, issued political warnings to voters in France and Germany. According to a France 24 report, he is the first British leader to make such a public statement in the capacity of prime minister.

"The moment I arrived at Downing Street, I asked this question: did Russia interfere in the 2016 referendum? The clear answer I received was yes," Burnham said on the "Rest is Politics" podcast. France 24, citing related reports, pointed out that he did not specify in what way Russia allegedly interfered, nor did he explain what intelligence or documents this "clear answer" was based on.

This assertion directly conflicts with the existing official investigation conclusions of the British Parliament. A 2020 report by the parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee at the time concluded that the British government had been unable to reach a conclusion on whether Russia had interfered in the 2016 referendum. In the same year, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who led the Brexit campaign, also publicly stated that there was no evidence that Russia had interfered in that referendum.

The Russian Embassy in London did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Russia has previously consistently denied interfering in the Brexit referendum and characterized British concerns as "anti-Russian hysteria."

The 2016 referendum, with 52% in favor and 48% opposed, decided Britain's departure from the European Union and is widely regarded as one of the most severe political crises in Britain since World War II. The same parliamentary report also concluded that Russia had attempted to influence the 2014 Scottish independence referendum—in which voters rejected independence.

"These things must now be clearly written into the public record," Burnham said in the same interview. "I also believe this will help voters in Germany and France understand that some things in their politics are being stirred up by our enemy—that is, Russia."

The leader, who took over as prime minister in July, also said last month that he may push for Britain to rejoin the European Union during the next general election, reopening the divisive debate with the European continent that has lasted for years.