UK government qualifies Burnham’s claim of Russian interference in Brexit vote
publishers 57articles 60first reported 11 Oct, 10:56 UTCdeveloping since 11 Oct · 9 editions
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he had received a “clear answer” that Russia interfered in the United Kingdom’s 2016 referendum on leaving the European Union, in what Al Jazeera described as the first time a UK prime minister has publicly acknowledged Russia's interference in the vote.
Burnham told *The Rest Is Politics* podcast that he asked about Russian involvement after entering Downing Street in July. He did not provide evidence or explain the nature or extent of any activity. He said the issue should be put on record to alert voters in Germany and France to foreign attempts to disrupt democratic politics.
His government subsequently qualified the remarks. Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said Russia had attempted to influence the referendum but had not succeeded. A Downing Street spokesman called an attempt by Russia “inconceivable” to rule out based on its past conduct, while playing down the existence of direct evidence that it influenced the vote. The spokesman did not explain what Burnham meant by the “clear answer” he said he had received.
A 2020 report by Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee could not confirm Russian meddling in the Brexit vote. It criticized the government for failing to commission a full assessment of possible interference and found that Russia had meddled in Scotland’s 2014 independence referendum.
Russia has repeatedly denied interfering in foreign elections and referendums. Burnham has also advocated closer relations with the EU and said Brexit has done “more harm than good.”
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 6 with the publisher's own text; 7 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 36 h after the record first saw the story; the editor revised it.
- Publishers
- 57
- Source articles
- 60
- Given to the writer
- 8, 6 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 7
- This version written
- 36 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- revised
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and changed it before publication. Struck words were in the draft; underlined words are its corrections.
WHAT IT FLAGGED editor revise: Several details need tightening to match the sources' wording and attribution while preserving the story. - "British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he had received a “clear answer” that Russia interfered in the United Kingdom’s 2016 referendum on leaving the European Union, becoming the first serving UK leader to make such a public assertion.": The sources say the first-serving-leader claim is that he publicly acknowledged or openly complained of Russian interference, not that he was the first to make the exact assertion about receiving a clear answer. - "Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said Russia had attempted to interfere in the referendum but had not succeeded.": The Irish Times and Express Tribune say Doughty said Russia attempted to influence the Brexit vote but had not succeeded; 'interfere' is close, but the specific sourced wording is 'influence' in the Irish Times and Express Tribune. - "A 2020 report by Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee did not establish whether Russia influenced the Brexit referendum.": The sources say the report could not confirm Russian meddling or did not fully assess possible impacts, rather than that it established no influence. - "found credible evidence of Russian efforts surrounding Scotland’s 2014 independence referendum.": The provided sources say the report found or confirmed Kremlin/Russian meddling or influence in the 2014 Scottish referendum, not specifically 'credible evidence' or merely 'surrounding' it.
THE DRAFT AND THE CHANGES
UK government qualifies Burnham’s claim of Russian interference in Brexit vote
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he had received a “clear answer” that Russia interfered in the United Kingdom’s 2016 referendum on leaving the European Union, becomingin what Al Jazeera described as the first servingtime a UK leaderprime tominister makehas suchpublicly aacknowledged publicRussia's assertion.interference in the vote.
Burnham told *The Rest Is Politics* podcast that he asked about Russian involvement after entering Downing Street in July. He did not provide evidence or explain the nature or extent of any activity. He said the issue should be put on record to alert voters in Germany and France to foreign attempts to disrupt democratic politics.
His government subsequently qualified the remarks. Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said Russia had attempted to interfere ininfluence the referendum but had not succeeded. A Downing Street spokesman called an attempt by Russia “inconceivable” to rule out based on its past conduct, while playing down the existence of direct evidence that it influenced the vote. The spokesman did not explain what Burnham meant by the “clear answer” he said he had received.
A 2020 report by Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee didcould not establishconfirm whetherRussian Russiameddling influencedin the Brexit referendum.vote. It criticized the government for failing to commission a full assessment of possible interference and found crediblethat evidenceRussia ofhad Russianmeddled efforts surroundingin Scotland’s 2014 independence referendum.
Russia has repeatedly denied interfering in foreign elections and referendums. Burnham has also advocated closer relations with the EU and said Brexit has done “more harm than good.”
Written by a language model from the sources above, then checked by a second model that may only cut, attribute or correct. How it works →