PA / GETTY
INTERFERING: Russian Twitter bots tried to help Jeremy Corbyn win the General Election
Vladimir Putins state set up 6,500 Twitter accounts to pump out pro-Labour propaganda ahead of the General Election, an investigation found.
Around 80% were created in the weeks leading up to the June 2017 poll.
They retweeted praise for Labour, especially leader Jeremy Corbyn, and criticised Prime Minister Theresa May.
The Sunday Times claims have led to a call for a review of potential Russian meddling in UK politics.
GETTY
ATTEMPT: Fake Twitter users criticised Theresa May and praised Corbyn
“Its unacceptable for any nation to attempt to interfere in the democratic elections of another country”
Matt Hancock
The vote saw a huge rise in popularity for Mr Corbyn, whose partys support went up from 25% to 40%.
Digital Secretary Matt Hancock said: “These revelations are extremely concerning. Its unacceptable for any nation to attempt to interfere in the democratic elections of another country.”
Labour dismissed the revelations as “ludicrous”.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said: “If there is an issue about Russian influence in our society it is Russian oligarchs funding the Tory party.”
Polonium, stabbing and 'suicide': Russian enemies allegedly assassinated in Britain
Putin's enemies have a habit of dying in suspicious circumstances
Getty Images
Defector Alexander Litvinenko was notoriously poisoned by radioactive Polonium in London
Meanwhile Jeremy Corbyn faces a new anti-Semitism row after it emerged his official Facebook page is littered with slurs against Jews.
Visitors posted claims that “supremacist Jews” have taken over the Labour Party while others accused a “Zionist lobby” of controlling UK politics.
The Jewish Community Security Trust charity said: “Jeremy Corbyn pledged to drive anti-Semitism out of the Labour Party.
"A fitting place to start would be on his Facebook page.”
Related articles
