British prime minister hopeful Boris Johnson has been ordered to attend a court hearing over allegations of misconduct in public office.
A judge at a London court said on Wednesday that an attempt to privately prosecute the politician can proceed.
“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 a written ruling at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
“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 judge added that the accusations were so far unproven. However, the timing of the court hearing is embarrassing for the former foreign secretary, who is currently leading the race to replace Theresa May.
The case has been brought by campaigner Marcus Ball, who is trying to bring charges against Mr Johnson who claimed during the 2016 referendum campaign that the UK sent £350 million per week to the European Union.