Skip to content

CFDs are leveraged products. CFD trading may not be suitable for everyone and can result in losses that exceed your deposits, so please consider our Risk Disclosure Notice and ensure that you fully understand the risks involved. CFDs are leveraged products. CFD trading may not be suitable for everyone and can result in losses that exceed your deposits, so please consider our Risk Disclosure Notice and ensure that you fully understand the risks involved.

Boris Johnson to face court over Brexit campaign

The bookmakers’ favourite to become the next British Prime Minister must appear in court to face allegations over Brexit campaign lies.

Boris Johnson Source: Bloomberg

British MP Boris Johnson, the person most likely to replace Theresa May as prime minister when she steps down on June 7, must appear in court to face allegations that he lied to UK citizens about Brexit, a judge ruled on Wednesday.

The court summons came from a judge at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ calling for former foreign secretary to face questioning over allegations that he committed three offences of misconduct while holding public office.

Boris Johnson accused of misleading the British public over Brexit

The allegations made against the ex-London Mayor claim he misled the British public in the build up to the Brexit referendum, where he was a leading member of the Leave campaign.

The British people voted 52%-48% to leave the European Union back in June 2016.

‘During both time periods outlined above, the (proposed) defendant repeatedly lied and misled the British public as to the cost of EU membership, expressly stating, endorsing or inferring that the cost of EU membership was [£350 million] per week,’ the application against Johnson said.

The £350 million figure, which leave campaigners famously had emblazoned on the side of a bus, was a controversial sound bite used to drum up support for Brexit, with pro-EU supporters contesting that it misled the electorate.

‘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,’ District Judge Margot Coleman said in her written ruling.

‘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,’ she added.

Boris Johnson’s lawyers label court summons a political stunt

Johnson’s lawyers have labelled the court summons a political stunt aimed at regulating the debate around Brexit by those opposed to Britain leaving the EU.

‘The decision to summon Boris Johnson is extraordinary. It is not the role of criminal law to regulate political speech,’ according to an unnamed source cited by the Daily Mail’s deputy political editor.


The information on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG Bank S.A. accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer.

Be ready to act on ECB opportunities

Learn how the ECB’s monetary policy announcements affect interest rates and price stability ahead of its next meeting in September 2020.

  • How might the next meeting affect the markets?
  • What are the key rate decisions to watch?
  • Why is the Governing Council announcement important for traders?

Live prices on most popular markets

  • Forex
  • Shares
  • Indices

Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All shares prices are delayed by at least 15 mins.

You might be interested in…

Find out what charges your trades could incur with our transparent fee structure.

Discover why so many clients choose us, and what makes us a world-leading provider of CFDs.

Stay on top of upcoming market-moving events with our customisable economic calendar.