UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has asserted that Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum, marking a shift from previous Conservative governments' stance that there was no evidence of successful Russian influence. Starmer revealed this during an appearance on the "The Rest is Politics" podcast, stating that he was informed of the interference after taking office. He did not disclose the source of this information or the nature of the evidence.
Starmer's comments highlight the need for greater transparency regarding foreign attempts to influence British politics, particularly in light of rising European concerns about disinformation campaigns and external interference in democratic processes. However, he did not clarify whether these activities impacted the referendum's outcome, which saw the UK vote to leave the European Union.
A 2020 report by the UK Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee criticized the government and intelligence agencies for not thoroughly investigating potential Russian interference. The report noted that ministers did not request a comprehensive assessment of Russian activities, despite indicators of attempts to influence British politics through state-backed media and social media accounts.
The parliamentary report also pointed out that the government did not provide a post-referendum assessment of Russian interference, unlike in the United States after the 2016 presidential election. Committee members from various parties emphasized that any attempt by a hostile state to influence a democratic process is significant, regardless of its success.
Starmer also discussed the issue with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a recent visit to Berlin, expressing concerns about the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. He suggested that the AfD receives Russian funding, although he provided no additional details or evidence to support this claim.
The UK government is working to establish a new national cyber security center to monitor hostile information campaigns targeting British democracy. Additionally, Downing Street has announced a new partnership with Germany to counter hybrid threats that could affect the security and stability of both countries.
A UK government spokesperson emphasized that protecting national security is a primary responsibility of any government. Efforts are underway to enhance legal powers under the National Security Act, improve the resilience of critical infrastructure, and support police and intelligence agencies.
Key points
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer alleges Russian interference in the 2016 Brexit referendum.
- The UK government is developing a new national cyber security center to counter hostile information campaigns.
- Starmer also raised concerns about the far-right Alternative for Germany party's alleged ties to Russia.
