Key facts
- UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed Russian interference in the 2016 Brexit referendum.
- Burnham stated he received a "clear answer that, yes, there was" Kremlin involvement.
- The comments were made on the podcast 'The Rest is Politics'.
- Burnham linked Russian interference to the rise of pro-Russian parties in Germany.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed that Russia was involved in the UK's 2016 referendum on leaving the European Union. Burnham stated he received a "clear answer that, yes, there was" Kremlin involvement when he became prime minister in July. His comments, made on the podcast 'The Rest is Politics' and set to be released on October 12, mark the first public acknowledgment by a British prime minister of Russia's role in the country's divisive Brexit campaign. In the referendum, 52% of voters chose to leave the EU, while 48% voted to remain. Russia has long been suspected of driving euroscepticism in the UK and other European countries, and of working to bolster the country's "Leave" campaign. Burnham's remarks came days after his visit to German counterpart Friedrich Merz in Berlin. He noted the importance of putting these facts on record to help voters in Germany and France understand that "some of this politics is instigated via our enemies, namely Russia." The prime minister's comments emerge as he works to deepen ties with the EU, a process initiated by his predecessors.