This is why I am sceptical about claims of Russian meddling in our democracy

The long-delayed ‘Russia report’ will be published this week but it is likely to be a damp squib, writes John Rentoul

A Brexit-themed billboard in east London (AFP/Getty)

The “Russia report” will finally be published this week. It contains the findings of the inquiry carried out by the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) of MPs and peers into allegations of interference by the Russian government in the EU referendum in 2016. It seemed suspicious to some people that Boris Johnson, the leader of the Leave campaign, should have prevented the report’s publication until after he was safely returned as prime minister.

It seemed equally suspicious that, the week before the report was to be published, the prime minister’s spokesperson should brief journalists that the intelligence services also suspect the Russians of having tried to influence the 2019 UK election.

At this point, however, the story becomes more comical than sinister. If the Russians rigged the 2019 election in Jeremy Corbyn’s favour, it was more Johnny English than James Bond. And if they are accused of being just as effective in boosting the Leave campaign, we have to conclude that Johnson won despite, rather than because of, their help.