UK PM: Russia Interfered in Brexit Vote10/12 06:19

   

   LONDON (AP) -- U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham says it is clear that Russia 
interfered with Britain's vote to leave the European Union, adding it was 
important to put Moscow's tampering on the record because countries across 
Europe are facing the same threat.

   In excerpts from "The Rest is Politics'' podcast released Sunday, Burnham 
said that when he became prime minister in July he asked his advisers whether 
Russia had interfered with the 2016 referendum. The full podcast is scheduled 
to drop on Monday.

   "I've had the clear answer that yes, there was,'' Burnham said. "These 
things are important now to put clearly on the record and I believe help voters 
in Germany and France understand that some of this politics is instigated via 
our enemies, namely Russia."

   Russia has long said it does not meddle in other countries' elections or 
referendums.

   Burnham's comments come as U.K. intelligence agencies warn about the 
increasing threat of Russian interference in Britain's democratic institutions. 
The intervention is believed to be the first time a British prime minister has 
publicly acknowledged Russian interference in the Brexit vote.

   Burnham said he spoke to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about possible 
links between Russia and the far-right Alternative for Germany party when the 
two leaders met last week in Berlin.

   "You know he was saying to me that the AfD are clearly linked to Russia, 
funded I believe," Burnham said. "There is certainly misinformation, 
disinformation that is emanating from Russia into German politics," he added.

   Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee found in 2020 that the 
government failed to fully assess the impact Russian state-run media and 
"troll" accounts could have had on the EU referendum.