Burnham Claims Putin Exploited Brexit to Divide Britain

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has asserted that Vladimir Putin exploited Brexit to sow division within Britain, stating that the UK has faced an "industrial scale assault by hostile actors" aimed at undermining the country since its departure from the European Union. Burnham made these claims in a speech delivered to the United Nations in New York.

Burnham indicated in recent days that "outside actors" had manipulated public opinion during the 2016 referendum. In his UN address on Tuesday night, he specifically named Russia as the primary instigator of a situation that has worsened since Brexit.

Downing Street announced that a new National Centre for Information Defence, being called the 'Ministry of Truth,' will be established to detect and disrupt "hostile state information attacks." This unit will operate in conjunction with intelligence agencies, law enforcement, and social media companies, with a focus on enhancing community cohesion and countering distorted narratives about Britain.

Burnham also vowed to draw a line under a "corrosive" decade, stating in his UN speech, "It is now ten years since Brexit, my country has lived through the destruction, and it has given us a unique perspective that I want to share with you today."

He further elaborated, "In recent years we have seen an industrial-scale assault by hostile actors on the information environment in the UK and many of our allies. Russian agencies have used every means at their disposal to spread lies and disinformation and prey on people's fears." Burnham added that hostile agencies had "amplified far right narratives" and "tried to interfere with the 2019 General Election," citing an estimated annual Kremlin spending of £1.3 billion on information manipulation.

Burnham declared that the UK "will not play Russia's game of trading escalatory rhetoric." He assured that the nation would be "prepared but not panic. Clear-eyed but cool-headed and unflinching in defending our people and our allies."

The Prime Minister's comments revive long-standing claims by some hardline Remain campaigners that Russia attempted to influence the Brexit referendum outcome, though concrete proof has not been widely presented. Burnham's statements have led to speculation that he may be preparing the ground for a significant effort to reverse Brexit, despite his current adherence to Labour's manifesto red lines, which include no return to the single market or free movement.

Burnham has previously expressed a hope that Britain will rejoin the EU within his lifetime, but when asked recently about committing to this in Labour's next manifesto, he stated the question was for "another day."