Boris Johnson (previously) is the racist, cowardly serial liar whose Old Etonian wealth and privilege warped and corrupted him into the kind of man who smashed up restaurants in acts of wanton, drunken vandalism, the sort of man who could never win a general election in the UK.
Despite this, he is tipped to be the country's next PM, thanks to the catastrophic failures of Theresa May, which have forced her resignation and triggered a leadership race in the Conservative party.
But even as he is being presumptively anointed to preside over the Brexit omnishambles, he's heading into court to answer for his role in deceiving the country during the Brexit referendum campaign, specifically, the claims stenciled on the side of a red "battle bus" that promised £350m/week for the NHS if Brexit were accomplished. This was a lie and everyone involved with creating the bus knew it at the time.
Prosecutor Marcus J Ball raised £255,000 through a crowdfunding campaign to bring three charges against Johnson in a private prosecution for "misconduct in public office."
After an initial court battle, Judge Margot Coleman has ruled that the prosecution can proceed, writing "Having considered all the relevant factors I am satisfied that this is a proper case to issue the summons as requested for the three offenses as drafted."
Ball's complaint claims that Johnson knew that his NHS promises were lies, and as evidence, cites instances in which Johnson used accurate figures. The complain calls for a criminal sanction as remedy for these lies, because "lying on a national and international platform undermines public confidence in politics."
There will be preliminary hearings tomorrow, and then one of four things may happen: Johnson may appeal, the Criminal Prosecution Service may allow Ball to continue with his own private proceedings, or the CPS may take over the proceedings, or they may shut them down on the basis that the prosecution is not in the public interest.
'Further to a hearing today, the court has determined that a public hearing will take place on Thursday 23 May 2019 at Westminster Magistrates Court, when the Judge will consider an application to issue a summons against the proposed defendant, Mr Boris Johnson MP, for the offence of misconduct in public office.
We wish to stress again that Mr Johnson has not been charged with any criminal offence and is at all times presumed innocent until proven otherwise. We would respectfully ask all those reporting and supporting the case to respect the formality of the court process.
Any further questions should be directed to Bankside Commercial Solicitors. '
-Giles Bright
Director
Bankside Commercial Solicitors
Boris Johnson, favorite to be Britain's next PM, to face court for alleged Brexit lies [Sheena McKenzie/CNN]
(Image: Dr Dunno/B3ta)
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