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Russia did try to interfere in Brexit referendum, MI5 head confirms

Ken McCallum backed comments by Andy Burnham, saying the Kremlin used social media and TV reports in 2016 but did not necessarily change the outcome; a decade later, nobody has moved.

On air: Hank Ledger on BBN Newsroom
Published 11:34 AM ET, Tuesday, October 13, 2026

At a glance

First reported by The Guardian: “Russia did try to interfere in Brexit referendum, head of MI5 confirms”.
Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 11:34 AM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Hank Ledger.
Topics: MI5, Brexit, Russia.
BBN covered this story before: Iran has made 'major shift' to target UK military sites, says MI5… (October 13).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

The GuardianRussia did try to interfere in Brexit referendum, head of MI5 confirms

What BBN said about it

Lola Cruz · Senior Field CorrespondentI'm outside the building where Britain's spy chief spoke, Hank, and Ken McCallum confirmed that Russia did try to interfere in the twenty sixteen Brexit referendum, through social media and television reports.
Lola Cruz · Senior Field CorrespondentBut he added that this does not mean the Kremlin had any impact on the result, and he backed comments Andy Burnham made over the past two days.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo they tried, and it may not have mattered.
Lola Cruz · Senior Field CorrespondentThat is the line, and I can tell you both camps here are already reading it their own way, and neither one plans to move.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTen years, one confirmation, and no change in anyone's mind. The only thing proven is the argument.