Russia’s attempt to influence Brexit vote failed – but they still tried, Burnham says

Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in The prime minister believes the Brexit referendum result was “legitimate”, despite Downing Street saying it is “inconceivable” that Russia did not seek to interfere with the vote . Questions have been raised over Russia’s involvement in the 2016 referendum after Andy Burnham claimed it was “clear” Moscow had interfered with the vote. The prime minister revealed he had asked, on his arrival in No 10 this summer, whether Moscow had been involved in the vote and was given “the clear answer that yes, there was”. But on Monday, a Foreign Office minister said Russian attempts to interfere in the Brexit referendum were not successful. “We know what the result was. I don’t think they’ve succeeded in their efforts,” Stephen Doughty told LBC. “I don’t think they’ve succeeded in their efforts to undermine our elections.” open image in gallery The prime minister revealed that he had asked, on his arrival in No 10 this summer, whether Moscow had been involved in the vote – and was given ‘the clear answer yes’ ( Reuters ) No 10 echoed Mr Doughty’s comments, saying the government does not believe Russian attempts to interfere with the referendum were successful. But the prime minister’s spokesperson added: “Given everything we know about Russia, it is inconceivable they did not seek to use the referendum for their benefit.” Asked if the prime minister believed the 2016 result was legitimate, he said: “Yes we do believe the referendum result to be legitimate.” He added that the prime minister “absolutely accepts the referendum result” and did not accept that he used “loose language” on The Rest is Politics podcast. The prime minister told the podcast he had spoken to the German chancellor Friedrich Merz about the influence of Russia during a recent visit to Berlin. “There is certainly misinformation, disinformation that is emanating from Russia into German politics,” he said. “But I asked the question coming to Downing Street: was there interference in the 2016 referendum from Russia? “And I've had the clear answer that yes, there was. “I mean, these things are important now to put clearly on the record and help voters in Germany and France understand that some of this politics is instigated via our enemies, namely Russia.” open image in gallery Questions have been raised over Putin’s involvement in the 2016 referendum after Andy Burnham claimed it was ‘clear’ Moscow had interfered with the vote ( AFP/Getty ) But Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called Mr Burnham “a liar”, telling a press conference in Hythe: “There was no Russian interference, and the Russia hoax has run all the way through this.” Speaking to Times Radio on Monday, Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty declined to provide details of what form Russian interference took in 2016 and whether it had been successful. He said: “I’m not going to get into the specifics of Russia’s actions against the UK, but what is clear is that Russia is attempting to interfere in democratic processes, not just in the UK but across Europe.” Mr Doughty added that Russia was spending £1.5bn on disinformation this year and called for a “whole of society effort” to respond to the threat Moscow poses to British democracy. Pro-EU campaigners have called for Britain to restore its EU membership in light of the revelation, and said it is important to have “public confirmation” of suspected interference. Naomi Smith, chief executive of Best for Britain, said: “What is now more vital than ever is that pro-Europeans make it unmistakably clear: there is only one option on the table that could begin to repair that damage, and it’s restoring our EU membership and putting the UK back at the heart of Europe, as soon as possible.”