Stroud based Molly Scott Cato is the Green Party’s financial spokesman, an economist and an environmental activist who is the current MEP for South West England
THERE’S not a lot of unity to be found over Brexit.
Indeed, it is probably the most divisive issue our nation has experienced in my lifetime. But concerns in recent weeks over Kremlin interference in the EU referendum has united concerned politicians from all sides.
While Russian influence on the EU referendum has been suspected for some time, the story only really broke after the Prime Minister accused Russia of meddling in elections and planting fake stories in the media.
However, she deliberately omitted to make any connection with the Brexit campaign.
But evidence continues to grow of links between British politicians and the Russian government.
In addition, a study has revealed that over 156,000 Russian-based Twitter accounts were engaged in a concerted campaign to over-represent support for the Leave side in the lead-up to the referendum. Given the mounting allegations, I am delighted that Green, Labour, Lib Dem and Conservative MEPs, including Clare Moody and Julie Girling from our region, have co-signed a written question to the European Commission.
We have asked how much they know about Russian influence in the referendum campaign and of the techniques used; whether they consider such interference was an attempt by the Kremlin to attack and destabilise the EU; and whether the Commission will use its agencies to investigate the allegations.
There is a South West angle here too, since there are also allegations of illegal funding for the Leave campaign.
These allegations are deeply worrying for our democracy and cast a long shadow over the result of the referendum.
It is therefore even more essential that we have a ‘ratification referendum’ on the Brexit deal, giving people the option of accepting that deal or remaining in the EU.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here