ECtHR Rejects Claim by Former UK MPs for Investigation into Russian Interference in Brexit
The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has officially dismissed the legal claims of former British Members of Parliament demanding that the UK government conduct a thorough investigation into possible Russian interference in the Brexit referendum and related electoral processes.
According to the court’s ruling, nations possess significant discretion to determine the most effective means to counter external interference in democratic elections and referendums.
Strasbourg judges acknowledged that, while the initial UK government response to allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 referendum was insufficient, subsequent legislative measures and investigations—such as the 2020 parliamentary committee report and new legislation aimed at foreign interference—addressed many of the concerns raised.
The court emphasized that these efforts are relevant and contribute meaningfully to the resolution of the issues raised by the applicants.
However, it also highlighted that, despite the threat posed by disinformation and foreign influence, accurately assessing the direct impact of Russian or other interference attempts on election outcomes remains complex due to the multifaceted nature of such influences.
The case was brought by three former UK MPs and Brexit opponents who argued that the British government and intelligence agencies failed to properly evaluate Russia’s attempts to sway the Brexit vote, breaching Article 3 of Protocol No.
1 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees the right to free elections.
The controversy gained momentum after a 2020 report revealed possible Russian interference, with critics contending that the UK authorities did not react adequately to these threats.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the time dismissed allegations of Russian influence, asserting that the UK’s measures were appropriate and compliant with legal standards.