Burnham accepts Brexit result ‘legitimate’ despite Russian interference, says No 10 – UK politics live

Downing Street has said that Andy Burnham does not think Russian interference in the 2016 Brexit campaign affected the result. Asked if that was the implication of the PM’s comments to the Rest is Politics podcast (see 10.33am), the PM’s spokesperson told journalists at the lobby briefing this morning: Given everything we know about Russia, it is inconceivable they did not seek to use the referendum to their benefit. But as the minister [Stephen Doughty] said this morning, we do not believe they have succeeded.

The spokesperson said the PM “absolutely accepts the referendum result”. After repeated questioning the spokesperson added: “Yes, we do believe the referendum result to be legitimate.”