Andy Burnham says Russia interfered in Brexit and hints at EU re-entry plan
Andy Burnham told a podcast that he was confirmed Russia meddled in the 2016 Brexit vote and used the comment to signal a possible push for the UK to rejoin the EU.
In a recent podcast interview, Andy Burnham disclosed that senior staff in Downing Street confirmed Russian interference in the 2016 Brexit referendum. He framed the revelation as part of a larger effort to inform voters in Germany and France about foreign attempts to shape politics. Burnham said he would consider committing to a policy of re-joining the EU in the Labour Party’s upcoming election platform, though he did not specify whether a new referendum would be required.
He also mentioned speaking with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about Russian disinformation campaigns affecting German politics. The comments mark the first time a British premier has publicly acknowledged foreign influence on the Brexit outcome and revive speculation about a Labour-led reversal of the UK's EU exit. Burnham previously raised the issue of Russian meddling at the UN General Assembly, citing evidence of interference in the 2019 general election and attempts to stoke unrest after major incidents.
Why it matters
Burnham’s admission could reshape UK political debate on EU re-entry and highlight concerns over foreign meddling in elections.
How this story developed
- Sep 29 Andy Burnham signals possible UK return to the EU after condemning Brexit
- Sep 29 Labour leader Andy Burnham delivered his first conference speech, unveiling policy proposals on public ownership, pensions, and electoral reform.
- Sep 30 The Prime Minister now says re‑joining the EU is among the options the government will consider.
- Sep 30 Burnham signaled that full EU membership is among the possible routes Labour could evaluate.
- Oct 3 A new poll shows half of British adults now support rejoining the EU.
- Oct 4 Kemi Badenoch opened the Conservative conference by framing the Tories as a common-sense party, unveiling pledges on tighter welfare, prison expansion and free childcare for high-earning families.
- Oct 5 Badenoch pushed to drop the £100,000 childcare tax cap at the conference.
- Oct 6 Announced a cut to employer National Insurance for 21‑ to 24‑year‑olds from 15% to 7.5%.
- Oct 7 Badenoch announced a defence spending target of 3% of GDP.
- Oct 8 Badenoch denounced Reform UK as ethnically exclusive at the conference.
- Oct 8 Burnham announced that the pension triple‑lock will be scrapped after the next general election and its savings will fund a National Care Service.
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