Boris Johnson Wins High Court Challenge Against Prosecution Over £350m Brexit Claim

Boris Johnson has succeeding in blocking a private prosecution against him over allegations of misconduct in public office.

The action, brought by campaigner Marcus Ball, was over claims made during the referendum campaign that the EU receives £350m a week from the UK.

The former foreign secretary successfully challenged a summons for him to attend Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where Ball was attempting to prosecute him for three allegations of misconduct in public office.

Ball, 29, crowdfunded more than £300,000 through an online campaign to bring the prosecution which claims Johnson lied about the figure.

Johnson’s lawyers had argued that the summons, issued by District Judge Margot Coleman, was unlawful and the criminal proceedings against him should be dropped.

A spokesman for Johnson said he would not be commenting on the case.