Russian interference in British politics
According to a 2020 British parliamentary committee report, there is substantial evidence that Russian interference in British politics is commonplace.[1][2][3]
The report described the UK as one of Russia's "top targets" as it was "seen as central to the Western anti-Russian lobby".[4]
According to the report, British governments have "welcomed the [Russian] oligarchs and their money with open arms, providing them with a means of recycling illicit finance through the London 'laundromat', and connections at the highest levels with access to U.K. companies and political figures."[5]
The report's authors noted that it was impossible to assess whether Russian interference had affected the Brexit referendum, since the government had not authorized any investigation into that matter.[6]
References
- Castle, Stephen; Landler, Mark (2020-07-21). "'No One' Protected British Democracy From Russia, U.K. Report Concludes". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
- Neilan, Cat (2020-07-21). "Politics latest news: Russian attempts to influence UK politics are the 'new normal', report claims". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
- Intelligence and Security Committee (2020-07-21). "Russia". UK Parliament.
- "UK 'top target' for Russia, says report". BBC News. 2020-07-21. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
- Booth, William; Adam, Karla (2020-07-21). "British parliament says government failed to investigate possible Russian election meddling". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
- "Russia report LIVE: Downing Street rejects call to examine Brexit referendum claims". Sky News. 2020-07-21. Retrieved 2020-07-21.