We need to stop disinformation in UK political adverts. Here’s a chance to do so | Letter

Alex Tait on a proposed amendment to the representation of the people bill, and Dr Joseph Mullen on Russian interference in the Brexit referendum

Andy Burnham’s comments about Russian interference in Brexit ( Report, 11 October ) and the warning by the MI5 chief, Ken McCallum, against exaggerating its impact ( Report, 13 October ) risk overlooking another serious threat to electoral integrity: disinformation from our own political parties and campaigners.

The head of MI5 confirming that Russia did try to interfere in the Brexit referendum is highly significant to the result. The vote share achieved by the leave campaign was 51.9%, as against 48.1% for the remainers. This was a majority of just 3.8%. If Russian interference swayed just 2% of voting intentions, this would erode the much-vaunted majority of the leave group, and remainers would emerge as victors. MI5 should carry out an impact assessment of Russian interference using the most up-to-date AI, and attempt to quantify shifts in voting patterns. This would go a long way towards introducing a new referendum. Dr Joseph Mullen Former senior lecturer, University of Manchester