Russian Interference the 'New Normal': Report

A long-awaited British report is out, faults British leaders for failing to look into matter
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jul 21, 2020 6:32 AM CDT
Updated Jul 21, 2020 6:57 AM CDT
UK Report: Russian Meddling the 'New Normal'
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to workers at the Zaliv shipyard in Kerch, Crimea, Monday, July 20, 2020.   (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

A long-awaited report published Tuesday on Russian influence in British politics criticized the British government for its slow response to Russian interference in the 2016 Brexit referendum, with its authors saying it was “astonishing” that no one sought to protect that democratic process, per the AP. While the report from the parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee said it would be “difficult—if not impossible—to prove” allegations that Russia sought to influence the referendum, it was clear that the government “was slow to recognize the existence of the threat" even after evidence emerged of Russian interference in the US elections back in 2014. “As a result, the government did not take action to protect the UK’s process in 2016," the report said.

“What we do know about Russian interference in the UK is it is the new normal.” The report’s authors criticized the British government for “actively avoiding” looking into the Russian threat. “Serious questions needed to be asked” why ministers didn’t look into the issue, the authors said. The report says Russia sees Britain as one of its top intelligence targets in the West. It said Russian influence in the UK is the “new normal,” and said successive governments have welcomed Russian oligarchs with open arms. The report’s release comes only days after Britain, the United States, and Canada accused hackers linked to Russian intelligence agencies of trying to steal information from researchers working on a potential coronavirus vaccine. (More Russia stories.)

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