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UK PM Burnham confirms Russian interference in Brexit referendum
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British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has become the first UK government leader to confirm Russian interference in the Brexit referendum held ten years ago. He said he inquired at 10 Downing Street and received a clear answer: "Yes, it happened." Burnham did not specify the nature of the interference. During a visit to Berlin last week, he discussed the issue with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, stating that Russian disinformation also exists in Germany and is used to influence politics. Burnham warned that understanding such interference helps voters in Germany and France recognize that some political developments are deliberately instigated by adversaries, particularly Russia. The UK voted narrowly to leave the EU ten years ago, followed by political chaos, with the exit completed in early 2020. Burnham recently called Brexit a "catastrophic mistake" and did not rule out rejoining.
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Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (CDU) und Andy Burnham, Premierminister von Großbritannien. Quelle: Michael Kappeler/dpa
Russia interfered in the Brexit referendum ten years ago — this has now been confirmed by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Russian disinformation is also present in Germany.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has become the first head of government of his country to confirm Russian interference in the Brexit referendum ten years ago. He said he inquired at 10 Downing Street, the government headquarters, and received the clear answer: "Yes, it happened," according to advance excerpts from the podcast "The Rest Is Politics."
Burnham did not specify what exactly the Russian interference looked like, according to these findings. Speculation about it had existed for a long time.
During his visit to Berlin last week, he also discussed the topic with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), the Labour politician continued. Russian disinformation aimed at influencing politics certainly exists in Germany as well, he added.
Burnham Warns Germany and France
"It is now important to state these things clearly and plainly. I believe this helps voters in Germany and France understand that some of these political developments are deliberately instigated by our adversaries, particularly Russia," Burnham continued.
Ten years ago, the British voted by a narrow majority in the referendum to leave the EU. A long phase of political chaos followed. The exit was finally completed in early 2020. Burnham recently described Brexit as a "catastrophic mistake" and did not rule out re-entry.
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UK PM Burnham Says It Is 'Clear' Russia Interfered in 2016 Brexit Referendum