British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has accused Russia of exploiting the divisions surrounding Brexit as part of what he described as an “industrial-scale assault” on the UK’s information environment.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, Burnham said hostile actors had sought to undermine Britain and its allies by spreading disinformation and exploiting public fears.
“Russian agencies have used every means at their disposal to spread lies and disinformation and prey on people’s fears,” he told UN delegates.
Burnham said hostile agencies had also amplified far-right narratives and attempted to interfere with the 2019 General Election, adding that the UK had gained a “unique perspective” after what he described as a decade of upheaval since the Brexit vote.
“I know this is a shared challenge,” he said, adding that Britain would use its experience to help other countries tackle similar threats.
The UK Government has also announced a new National Centre for Information Defence, which Downing Street says will work with intelligence agencies, police and social media companies to detect and disrupt hostile state information attacks.
Burnham said Russia spends around £1.3 billion a year on what he described as information manipulation, while stressing that Britain would respond without escalating tensions.
“We will not play Russia’s game of trading escalatory rhetoric,” he said, adding that the UK would remain “clear-eyed but cool-headed” while defending its people and allies.
The remarks come as Burnham’s government seeks closer ties with the European Union. He has previously said he wants Britain to build a closer relationship with the bloc, while Reuters reported that he is seeking UK participation in aspects of the EU’s “Made in Europe” initiative.
Burnham has also left open the possibility of Britain eventually rejoining the EU, although his government’s current position remains that it will not return to the single market or free movement.
The latest comments are likely to intensify debate over whether Russia attempted to influence the Brexit referendum. Claims of Russian interference have been made for years, but the extent of any impact on the 2016 result remains disputed.
The UK Government has separately highlighted Russia’s wider use of hybrid warfare and disinformation as a security concern, including in its recent discussions with EU leaders.
