Boris wins court battle over £350m ‘lies’ on Brexit bus
BORIS JOHNSON will not face a criminal prosecution over claims he made during the referendum campaign about the UK sending £350m a week to the EU.
The former Foreign Secretary won a challenge against a summons for him to attend Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where campaigner Marcus Ball is attempting to prosecute him for three allegations of misconduct in public office.
Following a hearing in London yesterday, Lady Justice Rafferty and Mr Justice Supperstone overturned the earlier decision.
Addressing Mr Johnson’s barrister, Adrian Darbishire QC, Lady Justice Rafferty said: “We are persuaded, Mr Darbishire, so you succeed, and the relief that we grant is the quashing of the summonses.”
The judge said reasons for the court’s ruling would be given at a later date.
Mr Ball claimed that Mr Johnson lied during the 2016 referendum campaign by saying Britain gave £350m a week to the European Union. He crowdfunded more than £300,000 through an online campaign to bring the prosecution.
The £350m figure was emblazoned on the red campaign bus used by Vote Leave during the referendum, with the slogan saying “We send the EU £350m a week, let’s fund our NHS instead”.
Mr Darbishire argued that the attempt to prosecute Mr Johnson was “politically motivated and vexatious”.
Mr Johnson, who is the front runner in the Conservative Party leadership contest, did not have to appear and did not attend the High Court hearing.
A spokesman for him said he would not be commenting on the case.
The Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, wrote on Twitter: “Very glad to see the court case against Boris Johnson thrown out.
“Freedom of speech feels increasingly challenged – we should always seek to debate political arguments in the open rather than close them down.”
Speaking outside the Royal Courts of Justice after the hearing, Mr Ball said he would consider his next steps after the court gives reasons for its decision.
“We have just given the green light for every politician to lie to us about our money forever. That is a terrifying idea,” he said.
Asked if he had a message for Mr Johnson, Mr Ball said: “You don’t have the right to lie to the public about how their money is being spent.”