Andy Burnham's allegation of 'clear' Russian interference in the Brexit vote was a slur on the legitimacy of that historic referendum.

Boris Johnson, who was running the Foreign Office in 2016, yesterday dismissed the Prime Minister's remarks as 'just not true'.

Further still, Mr Johnson cited conversations he had with the security services at the time, and said either they had changed their view – which is unlikely – or Mr Burnham was 'lying'.

The PM's comments led to rapid backtracking by Downing Street.

So why did he bring it up at all?

The answer, of course, is that he cannot accept that Britain left the European Union as the result of a democratic decision.

He is attempting to pave the way for what he hopes will be ever-closer alignment with Brussels, even suggesting yesterday it would be a 'dereliction of duty' not to do so.

But here is a dose of Russian truth serum for the PM: the public are not interested in this backward-looking stance.

If he attempts to force a return to the bloc it would most likely involve immensely punitive costs, ditching the pound for the euro and the return of unfettered free movement of people – which British voters will surely not be willing to tolerate.

Artificial intelligence is running dangerously out of control and, absurdly, there is an unwillingness by governments around the world to address proper regulation.

It has emerged that AI was used by Iranian-backed Houthis to develop advanced missile guidance systems.

Meanwhile, the Microsoft boss observes that mundane products such as milk and washing machines are under greater regulation than AI.

Why is it that governments find it so difficult to impose safety restrictions on internet technology?

For years, the web as a whole has been a cesspit of fraud, child sex abuse, revolting pornography and other criminality, where decent standards of human behaviour simply do not seem to apply.

It may be that politicians are reluctant to interfere with 'the future'.

But if AI technology goes wrong it has the potential to shut down every aspect of modern life, or worse.

The Government's plan, published yesterday, is not up to the job.

Serious figures with detailed knowledge of computing are issuing warnings on an almost daily basis about the grave threat posed by AI. They should be heeded.

Labour is increasingly isolated in its approach to asylum and the small-boats crisis. It is content with merely tinkering at the edges, with slight adjustments to policy and the law.

This is not good enough, and will never defeat the monstrous people-trafficking gangs.

Both Reform and Restore set out radical proposals yesterday, while the Conservatives have developed serious plans to leave the European human rights convention and enforce large-scale deportations of illegal migrants.

Meanwhile, Labour is shackled by its need to placate its own Left wing, in the hope of winning votes from the Lib Dems and the Greens.

Plainly, this Government does not have the courage to do what is necessary.