# UK PM says Russia interfered in Brexit vote

> Andy Burnham publicly acknowledges Russian meddling in the 2016 referendum for the first time by a British prime minister.
- Title: UK PM says Russia interfered in Brexit vote · The Independent
- Summary: Andy Burnham publicly acknowledges Russian meddling in the 2016 referendum for the first time by a British prime minister. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has…
- Keywords: andy burnham, russia, brexit, uk politics, election interference, 2016 referendum, politics, news, interfered, vote, The Independent
- Source: The Independent — https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/russia-andy-burnham-european-union-brexit-london-b3064887.html
- Published: 2026-10-11T19:49:39+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: andy burnham, russia, brexit, uk politics, election interference, 2016 referendum, politics, news
## Burnham confirms Russian interference
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says it is clear Russia interfered with Britain's vote to leave the European Union in two thousand sixteen.

> I've had the clear answer that yes, there was
## First PM to make public acknowledgement
Burnham said when he became prime minister in July he asked advisers about Russian interference. He believes it is important to put this on record.

> These things are important now to put clearly on the record
## Intelligence committee found government failed
Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee found in two thousand twenty that the government failed to fully assess the impact Russian state-run media and troll accounts could have had on the referendum.
## Key takeaway

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has publicly stated Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum, the first time a British PM has made this acknowledgement.