Brexit news: Rees-Mogg rages over move to put Boris Johnson on trial for 'lying and misleading', as rival launches expletive-laden attack

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Tory leadership race: Boris Johnson in profile

Boris Johnson must appear in court to face allegations of lying to the British public during the 2016 Brexit referendum campaign, a judge has said.

The Conservative leadership frontrunner was summonsed after a campaigner brought a private prosecution over claims that EU membership cost the UK £350m a week.

The frontrunner in the Tory leadership race has been accused of misconduct in public office after making the claim during the campaign, following a private prosecution by campaigner Marcus Ball.

Tory Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg said the decision was a “troubling” abuse of process.

He told the Press Association: “It is trying to use the courts to achieve a political end which, I think, is neither right or proper. This is involving the courts in something that is not their area.

“We need courts and politicians to respect each other, and it is an abuse of process, and a troubling one. It has been brought by people who are resentful of the referendum result.”

And Conservative former cabinet minister and barrister David Mellor said the ruling was a “deplorable absurdity”, and that courts should not adjudicate on what politicians do during election campaigns.

“I imagine there will be no shortage of senior judges who will feel acutely embarrassed about this,” he told the Press Association.

“Politicians at election times exaggerate, and say things that may or may not be true, and it’s the electorate, not the courts, who should decide whether they are reliable or not.

“This is a bad day for British justice. But probably, contrary to the wishes of those who have crowdfunded this nonsense, a big boost to Boris. Is that what they really intended? Nutty, nutty, nutty.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who is also vying for the top job, said: “However people voted in the referendum, we shouldn’t have courts judging on political debates.

“Let’s have robust debate to test arguments – and keep courts out of politics.”

It came after the EU slapped down Tory leadership hopefuls aiming to alter the Brexit deal, with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker warning the bloc was “crystal clear” that “there will be no re-negotiation”.

Follow our coverage of how the day unfolded

Key Points

• Boris Johnson ordered to appear in court over misconduct allegations
• Skilled workers from outside EU 'needed to plug jobs gap' amid Brexit uncertainty
• Nicola Sturgeon sets out new Scottish independence referendum plans
• EU refuses to budge on renegotiating Brexit deal
• Tories promise civility after years of backstabbing and schisms

[29 May 2019 19:56 · Samuel Osborne]

Baroness Boothroyd has criticised Labour's decision to expel Alastair Campbell and revealed she also did not vote for the party at the European elections.

The former Commons speaker, who is a supporter of a second referendum, said: "The Labour Party seems incapable of making positive leadership decisions of late. Fence-sitting seems to be in vogue.

"But the decision to expel Alastair Campbell from membership of the party is the daftest, most insensitive decision of all.

"For the first time in my long political life I didn't vote Labour in the European elections and there are no prizes for guessing where my vote went."