Revealed: How Burnham backtracked on his Brexit claim

On Sunday, Andy Burnham ripped open Britain's Brexit wounds by claiming Russia had interfered in 2016's referendum.

The Prime Minister's comments came despite years of evidence pointing to the contrary, including from the likes of MI5 and Labour's own Cabinet members.

Now, in the hours since his divisive suggestion, Mr Burnham has sought to backtrack in a very public fashion.

Sunday, 4pm:  

The Prime Minister's interview with The Rest Is Politics is released, as he tells Alastair Campbell and Rory

Stewart: 'I asked the question coming to Downing Street, was there interference in the 2016 referendum from Russia? And I've had the clear answer that yes, there was.'

Monday, 8am: 

Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty attempts to row back on the claims, telling LBC: 'We know what the result was... I don't think they've succeeded in their efforts to undermine our elections.

'The security minister's been very clear that they've attempted but not succeeded, in his evidence that he gave previously on this. But the fact is that they are attempting to interfere, and we all need to be alert.'

Monday, 11:30am: 

Nigel Farage accuses Mr Burnham of lying.

Monday, 11:45am: 

The Prime Minister's spokesman says Russia has not influenced UK elections, despite repeated attempts.

Monday, 15:52pm: 

Kemi Badenoch raises the row in the Commons, demanding to know 'where has this come from'.

Monday, 15:58pm: 

Mr Burnham tells MPs he 'implied no such thing', adding: 'It is a matter of record, Mr Speaker, that

Russian actors sought to interfere in the 2019 general election, and we think it is inconceivable that this was the first time.'

Previous denials

April 2018: 

The Government says there had been 'no evidence of successful interference', in response to a petition demanding that the referendum result be declared 'null and void due to foreign interference'.

May 2018: 

The head of MI5 says he is not aware that outside influence determined the outcome of the 2016 referendum.

July 2020: 

A report by Parliament's intelligence and security committee found no evidence that Russian interference affected the referendum.

September 2020: 

In response to another petition, the Government says they 'have seen no evidence of successful interference'.

December 2025: 

Labour minister Steve Reed says: 'There is no evidence that the outcome of any previous election or referendum was affected by any attempted foreign interference.'

January 2026: 

Labour minister Dan Jarvis says: 'Successive governments have not seen any evidence of successful foreign interference in the EU referendum.'

September 2026: 

Labour minister Florence Eshalomi says: 'There is no evidence of any foreign interference attempts having been 'successful' in materially impacting the outcome of a recent UK election or referendum.'