Boris Johnson slammed for not releasing report on Russian meddling in British politics in time for coming election

Opponents say document could contain embarrassing revelations about prime minister and lead to questions about links between Russia and Brexit

Report by parliament intelligence committee has been cleared by security services but has not been approved for publication by Downing Street

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks at a Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street on Tuesday. Photo: PA via dpa

Published: 2:31am, 6 Nov 2019Updated: 2:45am, 6 Nov 2019

The British government was accused by opponents of sitting on a parliamentary report examining alleged Russian meddling in British politics because it might contain embarrassing revelations about Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his party.

The report by parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) has been cleared by the security services but it has not yet been given approval for publication by Johnson’s Downing Street office, meaning it cannot be released before a December 12 election.

Britain has accused Russia of meddling or trying to interfere in western elections, accusations denied by Moscow. The ISC was examining allegations of Russian activity aimed at the United Kingdom, including in the 2016 referendum on EU membership, when Johnson was a leading campaigner to leave.

Emily Thornberry, the foreign affairs spokeswoman for the opposition Labour Party, said the decision not to publish the parliamentary committee’s report was for “utterly unjustifiable, unprecedented and clearly politically motivated reasons”.

A man looks at an effigy of Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson ahead of the annual Bonfire Night festivities in Lewes, Britain, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

“What is Downing Street so worried about? I fear it is because they realise this report will lead to other questions to about the links between Russia and Brexit”, she told parliament.

She said questions might be raised about Johnson’s relationship to a suspected Russian spy who described the prime minister as a “good friend”.