MI5 chief warns Burnham's Brexit interference row is handing Russia a propaganda WIN
From the Newshound archive · first published 13 October 2026.
Andy Burnham, who MI5 chief Sir Ken McCallum warned had risked amplifying Russian propaganda by sharing details of an intelligence briefing on Moscow's interference in the 2016 Brexit vote.Dame Emily Thornberry has called for EU membership to go directly into Labour's next manifesto without a second referendum.
MI5 director general Sir Ken McCallum has rebuked Prime Minister Andy Burnham over his Brexit-Russia claims, warning that continuing the debate gives the Kremlin a "needless propaganda victory." Speaking at Thames House on Tuesday, McCallum confirmed Russia had used RT, Sputnik and social media troll accounts to influence the 2016 referendum — but stressed there is "a really important difference between interference attempted and outcome swayed." No 10 was forced to concede the Russian meddling made no difference to the Leave result after Burnham sparked outrage by claiming on a podcast he had been told "clearly" there was Russian interference on entering Downing Street.
Conservative deputy leader Alex Burghart branded McCallum's words "an extraordinary slap down to the prime minister."
Nigel Farage called Burnham a "liar" while Tory shadow minister Katie Lam accused him of peddling "conspiracy theories."
McCallum warned Russian trolls would be "delighted" to be front page news again "despite the comparative unimpressiveness" of their efforts.
