Boris Johnson to face court over Brexit campaign claims

Judge satisfied private prosecution has a case

Conservative Party leadership hopeful Boris Johnson faces a court appearance over accusations of misconduct in public office following claims he allegedly made in the run-up to the Brexit referendum in 2016.

Businessman Marcus Ball set up a crowd-funded private prosecution of the former foreign secretary in relation to Johnson's alleged claim made during the referendum campaign that the UK sent 350 million pounds ($442 million) per week to Brussels, money that the Leave campaign famously said would be spent instead on the National Health Service.

On Wednesday, judge Margot Coleman said in a written ruling: "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. 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."

The Leave campaign ended up winning the referendum campaign in 2016, by 52 percent to 48 percent, setting up the issue that has dominated British politics ever since. Last week, Prime Minister Theresa May announced she would be stepping down in June after having failed to deliver Brexit, and Johnson is considered one of the frontrunners to replace her.