Kremlin accuses Burnham of 'stoking anti-Russian sentiment' after PM reveals Russia spends £1.3bn a year on UK disinformation
From the Newshound archive · first published 22 September 2026 · last updated 23 September 2026.
Andy Burnham addresses the UN General Assembly as the Kremlin accused him of "fostering an atmosphere of total Russophobia" after he announced a new National Centre for Information Defence.EU and UK imagery as Britain accused Russian agencies of exploiting Brexit to "prey on people's fears" through bots, fake websites and falsified newspaper articles.
The Kremlin has hit back at Andy Burnham after his debut UN General Assembly speech accused Russian agencies of conducting an industrial-scale information assault on Britain, spending £1.3bn annually to spread lies, forge the branding of 28 British organisations and amplify far-right narratives. Burnham announced a new National Centre for Information Defence and claimed Russia tried to interfere in the 2019 general election. The Kremlin responded by accusing the Prime Minister of deliberately stoking anti-Russian sentiment on a world stage.
Burnham told the UN that Russian bots, fake websites and falsified articles reach into people's homes to create a 'narrative of decline, stoking division and sowing despair'.
The PM also used the speech to challenge Israel over Gaza, telling the assembly that October 7 'does not justify' Netanyahu's actions, and warning that E1 settlement plans could put a Palestinian state 'beyond reach'.
Ed Miliband appeared to struggle to stay awake in the UN chamber as Burnham passed the 20-minute mark of the address.
