Court throws out misconduct case against UK’s Boris Johnson – TheNigerialawyer

BRITAIN’S HIGH COURT has thrown out a misconduct in public
office case against Boris Johnson.

Johnson had challenged the lawsuit which accused him of
knowingly lying during the Brexit referendum campaign.

Lawyers for the Tory MP, who leads a crowded field of contenders
vying to be Conservative Party leader after Theresa May formally
resigns today, had claimed in court that the private prosecution
was “politically motivated and vexatious”.

The case, brought by businessman Marcus Ball in a crowd-funded
initiative, concerns Johnson’s claim that Britain sends £350
million (€400 million) 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.

The official Leave campaign emblazoned the controversial figure
on the side of its touring bus during the 2016 EU referendum, while
Johnson and other Brexiteers repeatedly trumpeted it
campaigning.

Ball, 29, crowdfunded more than £300,000 through an online
campaign to bring the case, alleging misconduct in public
office.

In a written decision on May 29, district judge Margot Coleman
agreed, ruling she was satisfied there was a proper case to issue a
summons — prompting today’s legal challenge.

– © AFP 2019.

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