An inquiry will examine the growing role of social media in elections amid concerns that Vladimir Putin’s Russia is trying to destabilise the democratic process Kirill Kudryavtsev/Associated Press

Britain’s election watchdog has begun an inquiry into whether Russia interfered in the Brexit referendum campaign.

The Electoral Commission told The Times that it was “in dialogue” with Facebook and Twitter in response to allegations that Russia tried to influence the US presidential result. Its inquiry will also examine the growing role of social media in election campaigns amid concerns from the intelligence and security agencies that Russia is trying to destabilise the democratic process in Britain.

“We are asking questions of Facebook and Twitter and this work is ongoing,” Bob Posner, the commission’s director of political finance and regulation, said. “We don’t just sit back and see what lands on our doorstep.”

In the US, Russia is accused of using Facebook to sow division…