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The report was expected to receive a green light from Boris Johnson before being released this week. (illustration image) REUTERS / Peter Nicholls / Photo File

Downing Street has blocked the publication of a potentially explosive parliamentary report on the threat of Russia's interference in the British democratic process. Boris Johnson wants to postpone the publication after the December 12 poll, but this unusual decision is sharply criticized in Westminster.

With our correspondent in London, Muriel Delcroix

The file of about fifty pages was drafted by the parliamentary committee in charge of security and intelligence issues. He scrutinized Moscow's accusations of interference in the 2016 referendum and its efforts to influence the outcome in favor of Brexit.

The report looked in particular at the injection of Russian funds into British politics in general and within the conservative party in particular. A final draft of this document, already approved by the British intelligence services, was to receive the green light from Boris Johnson before being published this week.

But contrary to the protocol, Downing Street refused to approve the report before the dissolution of parliament on Tuesday night and effectively prevents its conclusions from being made public before the December 12 advance poll .

Dominic Grieve, chairman of the parliamentary commission, immediately condemned the decision and seriously questioned the veracity of the reasons given for blocking the report. Former pro-European conservative leader Dominic Grieve was ejected from the party for rebelling against the government.

Like many opposition MPs, he accuses Boris Johnson, one of the main pro-Brexit figures in 2016 , of trying to quash the affair for fear that embarrassing revelations will undermine his campaign and undermine his chances of winning. the December 12 elections.