According to the Intelligence and Security Committee report, Downing Street is unable to control the Kremlin’s interference and may even prefer the Kremlin to accept money “with open arms” from Russian oligarchs, who are suspected of working directly or indirectly for Vladimir Putin’s intelligence services

“This is what surprised us most. It is this kind of political subterfuge that may have been particularly attractive in the House of Commons tea room and went unnoticed. The fact is the impact and scope of interference in previous political events, including the 2016 EU referendum,” said Salah. one member of the British Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee.

The report, which mainly focused on the Brexit referendum, was blocked by Boris Johnson himself, the British Prime Minister, nine months ago due to concerns that the result could undermine the resounding victory he achieved in last December’s general election.

“We are not talking about an enemy that will soon disappear. Why have ministers chosen not to follow up and learn the lessons, and if necessary change things. “That is something that should be asked of them,” added Kevan. Jones, one of the Committee participants.

Russia denies any interference of any kind

Responding to the report, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a tweet that Russia “has never intervened in the electoral process of any country in the world.”

Meanwhile, the director of the foreign relations commission of Russia’s upper house of parliament, Konstantin Kosachev, described the accusations as “baseless and unconvincing and blamed” Western politicians for creating conspiracy theories out of thin air.

The government refuses to investigate Russian influence

While it remains unclear whether Russia was successful in its efforts to influence the outcome of the Brexit referendum, the report criticized the fact that adequate precautions were not taken to prevent this.

The British government once again rejected the need to open an investigation, as according to the government, there is no evidence to support real interference in the EU referendum.