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MI5 chief warns against overstating Russian interference in Brexit vote
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated he received confirmation that Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum, though he did not specify the extent or nature of the interference.
- Burnham emphasized that while Russian interference in the 2019 general election is a matter of record, it is "inconceivable" that 2016 was the first attempt, though Downing Street clarified the efforts likely did not influence the referendum outcome.
- MI5 Chief Sir Ken McCallum acknowledged Russian media and online interference during the referendum and agreed with Burnham about hacking during the 2019 election, cautioning against allowing adversaries to deepen divisions.
- Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that in 2016, security services informed him there was no evidence of successful Russian interference in the Brexit referendum.
