The Story of Britain’s Brexit-Russian Intrigue

by Neil Bamforth

The Conservative government had, for some time, been accused of ‘sitting’ on a report into whether or not Russia had been interfering in internal British politics, not least the vote to leave the European Union. Those opposed to leaving the EU, along with those opposed to the current Conservative government, were all but drooling at the prospect of the report finally seeing the light of day, and completely blowing the lid of both Brexit and Boris Johnson.

Indeed, there was much talk, in left-wing circles, of the report potentially bringing down the government and even, possibly, some form of criminal action being taken against the Prime Minister and other Cabinet members.

Oops.

The claim of one of the authors of the long-awaited report, published on Tuesday, Scottish MP Stewart Hosie, a member of the UK parliament’s influential Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), into Moscow’s influence on British politics said it was “astonishing” the government had not looked into the possibility of interference, adding Downing Street had “actively avoided” doing so “because they did not want to know.”

Now that, of course, sounds very much like some sort of dereliction of duty, or something of that nature anyway. Not a good start for the government clearly.

The report then continued that it would be – “difficult to prove” allegations that Russia sought to influence the referendum. But, it added, it was clear the government “was slow to recognize the existence of the threat” even after evidence emerged of Russian interference in US presidential elections and the Scottish independence referendum in 2014.

So. Where are we then?

The government was slow to accept any possible interference by Russia into our internal politics. No. That’s not good. The government should be aware that Russia will, more than likely, interfere if they can and they believe there is some gain from doing so.

Hang on. I know that. Everybody knows that. What? The government didn’t know that? Really? Yeah. Right.

More likely, they didn’t care because they couldn’t see what Russia had to gain. A poor decision? Yes. Governments should always be on their guard against outside interference in domestic policy.

A ‘bombshell’ to bring the government down? Hardly.

So where is all this information that will ‘bring down the government’ then?

“difficult to prove allegations that Russia sought to influence the referendum”. How about that?

Nope. You can’t even prosecute a common or garden burglar with evidence that is difficult to prove – aka – doesn’t exist, at least in sufficient quantities to make any difference.

Oh dear. I sense a ‘damp squib’ coming on here. What about you?

The Scottish MP in charge of compiling the report went onto say that “Russia had tried to cast doubts on the veracity of the result of the referendum on Scottish secession in a bid to primarily undermine the UK in the eyes of the Russian populace”.

“There has been no assessment of Russian interference in the EU referendum and this goes back to nobody wanting to touch the issue with a 10-foot pole,”

I’m a wee bit dubious that Russia actually cares about Scotland. Perhaps they’re worried about kilts or something. Still, breaking up the UK might be something Russia would enjoy? Who knows? Certainly not the team compiling the report clearly.

The report then mentions a 10-foot pole. I’m assuming it means a long barge pole rather than a very tall Polish person. Either way, the report assumes that the government wouldn’t use either to check on Russian interference with the Brexit vote.

Apart from citing the murder of Alexander Litvinenko and the annexation of Crimea as “stark indicators” of Russia’s lack of adherence to international law, that was about it.

As I said earlier, oops.

Certainly, there are valid criticisms of the government, but anything remotely serious enough to bring them down? Nope.

I have to say, to those opposed to Brexit and, indeed, the government and, of course, Boris Johnson himself. I feel your pain.

Not genuinely of course, but I do understand your disappointment.

Brexit continues apace – probably without any deal with the EU. The government continue to govern. Boris continues to be Boris, and those against sit and scratch their heads, wondering if their day is over.

It is.

We have, actually, already left the European Union. These months are actually ‘the transition period’ where we see if we can strike a deal or just walk away into WTO rules.

Never mind you ‘remainers’ and ‘haters of Boris’ and the government. It’s nothing a few large brandies won’t sort. Trust me. If you feel no better, you’ll just be too drunk to care.

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