PM says Russia 'clearly' interfered in Brexit referendum

BERLIN, 12 OCTOBER 2026 —

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham Accuses Russia of Interfering in 2016 Brexit Vote, Warns of Ongoing Disinformation Campaigns in Europe

In an interview with The Rest is Politics podcast, due for release on Monday, Burnham stated that upon taking office, he was informed that Moscow had sought to disrupt the UK’s democratic process, though he did not disclose specifics about the nature or scale of the interference.

The admission underscores growing concerns across Europe about foreign meddling in domestic politics, with Burnham warning that similar tactics are now targeting elections in France and Germany. His remarks come as the UK and its European allies grapple with escalating disinformation campaigns, including the use of AI-generated deepfake videos and fabricated narratives designed to sow division.

Burnham’s assertion follows years of speculation and partial disclosures about Russian influence operations in the UK. In 2020, the UK Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee issued a report acknowledging that while it could not definitively prove Russian interference in the Brexit vote, successive governments had failed to adequately assess or counter the threat. The committee’s findings were dismissed by Russia’s Foreign Ministry as "Russophobia," while a Kremlin spokesman denied any meddling in foreign elections.

However, the then-Conservative government, in a rare moment of agreement, stated in 2020 that it was "almost certain" Russian actors had sought to interfere in the 2019 general election.

The prime minister’s comments were made during a broader discussion on foreign interference, which he raised with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a visit to Berlin earlier this week.

Burnham described how misinformation and disinformation from Russia were infiltrating German and French politics, urging voters to recognize that some political narratives were "instigated via our enemies, namely Russia." His warnings align with recent findings by the UK’s Electoral Commission, where Vijay Rangarajan, its head, told lawmakers earlier this year that Russian deepfake videos had been "used extensively in elections around the world," with no reason to believe the UK was exempt.

The scale of the challenge was highlighted in a BBC Verify investigation, which tracked Russian-linked disinformation campaigns employing AI to create fake videos impersonating journalists and news organizations. One such campaign falsely claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had purchased a mansion owned by King Charles at a discounted price, illustrating the sophistication of modern influence operations.

Burnham himself had previously accused Russian agencies at the United Nations of using "every means at their disposal to spread lies and disinformation and prey on people’s fears," announcing plans to establish a new center to combat the spread of such narratives.

Pro-Brexit groups, however, dismissed Burnham’s claims as politically motivated. Britain Unbound, a campaign organization, argued that while foreign interference in UK elections was "unacceptable," there was "no good reason to believe" Russian intervention had influenced the 2016 referendum outcome. The group accused Burnham of undermining democratic legitimacy by suggesting voters were "easily duped," a stance that reflects broader skepticism among Brexit supporters about allegations of foreign meddling.

The UK government has responded by reinforcing its counter-interference measures, with a Downing Street spokesperson stating that efforts were underway to "protect our citizens and institutions" from foreign threats. These include strengthening the National Security Act, bolstering critical infrastructure resilience, and enhancing police and intelligence capabilities. The move reflects a broader regional push to address disinformation, as European leaders increasingly recognize the need for coordinated responses to preserve electoral integrity.

Burnham’s remarks are likely to intensify scrutiny over Russia’s role in shaping UK politics, particularly as the country prepares for future elections. While his statement does not provide concrete evidence of Russian interference in Brexit, it aligns with a pattern of warnings from intelligence agencies and lawmakers about the persistent threat of foreign influence.

The debate over accountability and countermeasures will now shift to whether the UK—and its European partners—can effectively counter such campaigns before the next major vote.