Foreign governments could have interfered in Brexit referendum, MPs say

Foreign governments may have interfered in the UK's referendum on EU membership last year, a parliamentary committee has found.

States such as Russia and China could potentially have been involved in the crash of a registration website in the lead up to the crucial vote last June, the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs select committee said in the report.

Voters were unable to register in the system on 7 June 2016 after a website crash, shortly before the deadline approached, with the government later extending the process by two days.

The report noted that the sophisticated nature of cyber-attacks from influential governments could not be ruled as a cause of the crash.

"The US and UK understanding of 'cyber' is predominantly technical and computer network-based," the report said.

Voters were unable to register in the system on 7 June 2016 after a website crash

"For example, Russia and China use a cognitive approach based on understanding of mass psychology and of how to exploit individuals."

It added that this distinction in the attitudes between East and West towards cyber crime has led to the committee being "deeply concerned" about the possibility of interference.

"The implications of this different understanding of cyber-attack, as purely technical or as reaching beyond the digital to influence public opinion, for the interference in elections and referendums are clear."

"PACAC is deeply concerned about these allegations about foreign interference."

Conservative committee chair Bernard Jenkin said that there were several lessons to be learned in relation to the calling and use of referendums in the UK.

"The use of the machinery of government during referendums has a significant effect on public trust and confidence," Jenkin said.

"Referendums, therefore, need to be designed in such a way as to provide the utmost clarity for parliamentarians, campaigners and, above all, the electorate."