Former foreign secretary, Boris Johnson has been summoned by the Westminster Magistrates Court to face an accusation of misconduct in public office over claims he lied during the 2016 EU Referendum. The crowd-funded legal battle was bought against him for claiming the UK paid £350 million per week to Brussels as part of his pro-BRexit appeal to voters. Judge Margot Coleman said, “The allegations which have been made are unproven accusations and I do not make any findings of fact. Having considered all the relevant factors, I am satisfied that this is a proper case to issue the summons as requested for the three offences as drafted.”
She added, “The charges are indictable only. This means the proposed defendant will be required to attend this court for a preliminary hearing, and the case will then be sent to the crown court for trial. The charges can only be dealt with in the crown court.” Johnson now faces three allegations of misconduct in public office, between February 21, 2016 and June 23, 2016 and April 18, 2017 to May 3, 2017 during the mid-term general election.
The update is set to damage Johnson's prospects in the upcoming Conservative Party leadership vote, which will open once May resigns on June 7. Following the summons, it is also speculated that Johnson may altogether drop out of the race. The £350 million figure was used by the pro-Brexit Vote Leave group throughout the referendum campaign on the side of a red bus, calling for the UK to “fund our NHS instead”. Johnson was in the lead of the campaign, alongside current environment secretary Michael Gove, and Priti Patel, MP.
The recent court ruling has prompting dirt-flinging on Johnson. Labour MP David Lammy was quick to tweet, “Boris Johnson shamefully and deliberately lied about the cost of EU membership for personal and political gain. Regardless of what happens in court, this charlatan should never be allowed to become PM.” Liberal Democrat MP, Ed Davey said, “Given Boris Johnson wants to be the next prime minister of this country, it's only right that he is held accountable for the lies he told in 2016. Boris Johnson has never had to rely on these vital public services. That's why he doesn't care about the impact of his campaign slogans.”
