Russian interference in British politics

According to a 2020 British parliamentary committee report, there is substantial evidence that Russian interference in the British economy and politics is commonplace and further, that evidence was uncovered detailing interference in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum aimed at promoting Scottish independence. [1][2] [3][4][5]

A redacted parliamentary committee report detailing Russian interference in British business and politics was released on 21 July 2020.

The report described the UK as one of Russia's "top targets" as it was "seen as central to the Western anti-Russian lobby".[6]

Findings

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."[7]

The committee found no evidence as to whether Russian interference had affected the Brexit referendum, since the government had not authorized any investigation into that matter due to the fact that any such attempt was not within the purview of U.K. intelligence services because any such actions by the security services themselves could be seen as interference, itself undermining democracy. However, the report did discover evidence that the 2014 Scottish independence referendum had been interfered with, supporting the Scottish vote on independence. [8][9][10]

References
  1. " Russia report: Call for inquiry after ISC finds 'credible' evidence of attempt to influence 2014 Scottish independence referendum ". 21 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  2. "Russia Report Reveals Interference in Scottish Independence Referendum". 21 July 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Intelligence and Security Committee (2020-07-21). "Russia". UK Parliament.
  6. "UK 'top target' for Russia, says report". BBC News. 2020-07-21. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
  7. 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.
  8. " Russia report: Call for inquiry after ISC finds 'credible' evidence of attempt to influence 2014 Scottish independence referendum ". 21 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  9. "Russia Report Reveals Interference in Scottish Independence Referendum". 21 July 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  10. "Russia report LIVE: Downing Street rejects call to examine Brexit referendum claims". Sky News. Retrieved 2020-07-21.

See also


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