UK Court Begins Hearings On Johnson's Alleged Lies During Brexit Campaign - Reports

UK Westminster Magistrates' Court has opened a hearing to look into allegations that former UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson had lied about London's financial commitments to the European Union during the Brexit campaign, media reported on Thursday

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 23rd May, 2019) UK Westminster Magistrates' Court has opened a hearing to look into allegations that former UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson had lied about London's financial commitments to the European Union during the Brexit campaign, media reported on Thursday.

During the Brexit campaign in 2016, Johnson claimed that the United Kingdom was sending 350 million Pounds ($442 million) each week to the European Union and suggested the money could instead be redirected to the UK National Health Service. Later, his claim was even emblazoned on the side of the now infamous red bus used by the Vote Leave campaigners.

According to The Guardian, 29-year-old businessman Marcus Ball has accused Johnson of misconduct while in public office over the EU contribution statements.

The hearing was held at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

Ball has reportedly raised more than 200,000 pounds to launch the case. According to the claimant, this case was the first of its kind since a member of the UK parliament has never been prosecuted for misconduct in public office based on alleged lies made to the public. Ball's lawyer said on behalf of his client that the case was not a political stunt.

Johnson has not personally made an appearance in court and instead sent a legal team to represent him, the media said.

Today's hearing will make clear whether Johnson should be summoned to face private prosecution, legal proceedings that are not initiated by a public prosecutor but rather a private individual or entity.

In 2016, the UK Statistics Authority concluded that Johnson was misleading his audience with the "350 million pounds" claims as this figure did not take into account any money coming from the European Union to the UK public sector. In September 2017, Chair of the UK Statistics Authority David Norgrove wrote a letter to Johnson in which he accused him of misusing official statistics.