Burnham calls Russia's Brexit meddling 'repulsive' and launches new anti-disinformation unit at UN debut

From the Newshound archive · first published 23 September 2026.

Andy Burnham used his first UN General Assembly speech in New York to accuse Russia of running an "industrial-scale assault" on Britain's information environment, claiming the Kremlin spends £1.3 billion a year spreading lies, forging the branding of 28 British organisations, and amplifying far-right narratives online. He announced a new National Centre for Information Defence to detect and disrupt AI-enabled disinformation from hostile states. Burnham claimed Putin has exploited Brexit to sow division, and said out-of-work young people are particularly vulnerable to Russian influence operations. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband was caught on camera apparently struggling to stay awake during the 20-minute address.

The new unit, initially run out of the Office for the Prime Minister, will bring together intelligence agencies, police and social media companies to combat 'information warfare.'

Burnham claimed Russia has evidence of trying to interfere with the 2019 general election and has used fake websites and falsified newspaper articles against Britain.

Downing Street confirmed the new centre — branded the 'Ministry of Truth' by critics — will also counter AI-generated deepfakes targeting British institutions.