Boris Johnson - Indictment for Misconduct in Public Office

psikey

Remainer gloves are well & truly off. Excellent timing.

"Brexit: Boris Johnson ordered to appear in court over £350m claim"
The maximum sentence for the offence is life imprisonment.Lewis Power QC, who represents Mr Ball, said Mr Johnson's conduct had been "both irresponsible and dishonest".Can we also take Cameron/Carney/Osborne to court for lying about the collapse of the nation if we dared to vote to leave.

chopples

full article better than chosen snippets i think

Boris Johnson to go on trial for 'lying and misleading' in Brexit campaign, judge orders

cheers

Rasczak

Borris Johnson has been referred to the Crown Court to answer three charges of Misconduct in Public Office:
Boris Johnson to appear in court over Brexit misconduct claims

First and foremost, Johnson is innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. However, this is going to be a very interesting case for the precedent it will set. These are most serious charges and the first time in English legal history where a politician is being asked to justify their claims.  Is it good or bad?  On the one hand politicians must be given freedom to articulate their case and inevitably that will include interpretations that some might deem to be falsehoods.  However, if a politician of whatever persuasion, persistently articulates something they know to be false, should they be immune from the consequences?  Perhaps the public has the right to expect more?  But where should the bar sit?  What amounts to misconduct and what mere politics?

Clearly we'll have to see what happens with regards Johnson but it is going to make for some interesting debate throughout the trial whatever the outcome. But in relation to Johnson specifically, can an indicted individual still credibly run for the position of Prime Minister?

IronGiant

Existing discussion merged in.

crashcris

So the campaign to stop Boris Johnson is underway.Boris Johnson will be summonsed to court to face misconduct accusation | Daily Mail Online

springtide

My personal opinion, this case shouldn’t be about bringing Boris to account apart from maybe a slap on the wrist if found guilty, but for people in pubic office to be made accountable for what they say going forward.

domtheone

Pretty much agree with above.   Adding that it's sour grapes on the part of remainers.  What about going after Cameron and Osborne, not to mention the numpty in charge of the BOE.  Full of lies all of them.

If they do Boris, they might as well charge most MP's, since most of them tell porky pies all the time.  

Mrs May promised us we were leaving on 29th of March a 100 times.   Lies, lies and more damned lies.

springtide

This isn’t about predictions what might happen in the future, but about stating current facts that are known, but are incorrect and misleading.

The evidence states he knew the actual figure because he quoted the yearly amount correctly in one of his interviews.

HSC

should get Farage next for his 'poster'

Rasczak

I think there are some subtle differences there.  The comments by members of the Cameron Government and the BOE were based on forecasts and, at least some of the dire predictions were only averted because the remainers rolled up their sleeves and mitigated in the national interest.  With regards May's claims, she would have kept her promise if others hadn't prevented her.

Compare and contrast that with the claims about the NHS which, given the rebate, were simply inaccurate and demonstrably proven to be such.  The only real question is whether it is a crime for a public officer to rely on such information repeatedly IF they knew the figure to be false.  And in addition whether it is appropriate to hold politicians to account given the consequential impact on democracy.