By Ben Kerrigan-
Boris Johnson’s political future is in serious jeopardy after a judge ordered the former Mayor Of London to go on trial for allegedly “lying and misleading the British public” about the consequences of Brexit.
A judge summoned the Conservative MP, formerly the Foreign Secretary, to appear in court following a private prosecution launch private prosecution over claims EU membership was costing the UK £350m a week. The case is set to sabotage Johnson’s contention for the leadership role of Conservative Party after Theresa May leaves office on June 8. Johnson resigned as Foreign Secretary in July 2018. He said in his resignation letter at the time that the prime minister was leading the Uk into a semi Brexit and a ”state of a colony”.
District Judge Margot Coleman dismissed out of hand arguments by Mr Johnson’s lawyers that the case was a “vexatious” attempt to undermine the result of the 2016 referendum.
A written judgement handed down on Wednesday said: “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 [of misconduct in a public office].
“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.”
DISMISSED
The District Judge dismissed arguments by Mr Johnson’s lawyers that the case was a “vexatious” attempt to undermine the result of the 2016 referendum. Johnson was the front runner for Downing Street when May replaced David Cameron in 2016 after the British public voted to leave the European Union. Johnson blew his opportunity then when he failed to send a tweet declaring his willingness to include some Mps into his political stable whee they would occupy progressive and fulfilling posts
A written judgement handed down on Wednesday said: “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 [of misconduct in a public office].
“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.”Mr Johnson denies misconduct in a public office, an offence that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Marcus Ball, 29, received overwhelming support in raising over £200,000 through crowdfunding campaigns in order to lodge a private prosecution against Mr Johnson.
A Westminster Magistrates’ Court hearing earlier this month heard that the former foreign secretary “used the platforms and opportunities offered to him by virtue of his public office” to endorse claims that EU membership was costing the UK £350m a week.
A lawyer representing Mr Ball, told Westminster’s Magistrates court last week that Mr Johnson had deliberately misled the public during the EU referendum campaign, and then repeated the statement during the 2017 general election.
At the time of the alleged offences, Mr Johnson held public office as the mayor of London and MP for Uxbridge for South Ruislip. Mr Power said: “Democracy demands responsible and honest leadership from those in public office.