Court quashes bid to prosecute Boris Johnson over EU claim
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Britain's High Court has quashed a bid to prosecute Conservative lawmaker Boris Johnson for allegedly lying during the country's 2016 European Union membership referendum.
Two judges on Friday threw out a lower court's ruling that Johnson should be summoned to answer questions about Brexit campaigners' claim that Britain pays 350 million pounds ($446 million) a week to the EU. The net figure Britain sends is about half that.
Activist Marcus Ball brought a private prosecution against Johnson, who helped lead the "leave" campaign, for misconduct in public office.
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Johnson's lawyers argued the prosecution was politically motivated, and said the 350 million figure "was just a political claim" that voters could accept or reject.
Johnson is currently the favorite to succeed Theresa May, who steps down as Conservative Party leader Friday.