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AFP
LONDON
Boris Johnson, considered the frontrunner to become Britain’s next prime minister, must appear in court over allegations that he knowingly lied during the Brexit referendum campaign, a judge ruled on Wednesday.
Johnson, the former foreign secretary, will be summoned to appear over allegations of misconduct in public office, judge Margot Coleman said in a written decision, without specifying the date.
The case concerns Johnson’s claim that Britain sends £350 million ($440 million, 400 million euros) a week to the European Union.
While this was Britain’s gross contribution, the net figure accounts for a budget rebate from the EU as well as payments to Britain’s public sector from the EU budget, and is substantially less.
Businessman Marcus Ball has crowd-funded a private initiative to bring Johnson to court.
“The allegations which have been made are unproven accusations and I do not make any findings of fact,” the judge said. “Having considered all the relevant factors I am satisfied that this is a proper case to issue the summons as requested,” she wrote.
Referring to Johnson as the “proposed defendant”, Coleman said he would be required to attend a preliminary hearing that could then result in a trial. Political observers consider Johnson the favourite among 11 candidates vying to replace Theresa May as leader of the governing Conservative Party, and therefore prime minister.
May will quit as Conservative leader on June 7, with the new premier due to be in place before July 20.
LONDON
Boris Johnson, considered the frontrunner to become Britain’s next prime minister, must appear in court over allegations that he knowingly lied during the Brexit referendum campaign, a judge ruled on Wednesday.
Johnson, the former foreign secretary, will be summoned to appear over allegations of misconduct in public office, judge Margot Coleman said in a written decision, without specifying the date.
The case concerns Johnson’s claim that Britain sends £350 million ($440 million, 400 million euros) a week to the European Union.
While this was Britain’s gross contribution, the net figure accounts for a budget rebate from the EU as well as payments to Britain’s public sector from the EU budget, and is substantially less.
Businessman Marcus Ball has crowd-funded a private initiative to bring Johnson to court.
“The allegations which have been made are unproven accusations and I do not make any findings of fact,” the judge said. “Having considered all the relevant factors I am satisfied that this is a proper case to issue the summons as requested,” she wrote.
Referring to Johnson as the “proposed defendant”, Coleman said he would be required to attend a preliminary hearing that could then result in a trial. Political observers consider Johnson the favourite among 11 candidates vying to replace Theresa May as leader of the governing Conservative Party, and therefore prime minister.
May will quit as Conservative leader on June 7, with the new premier due to be in place before July 20.
