Boris Johnson will not face a criminal prosecution over claims he made during the referendum campaign about the UK sending £350m a week to the EU after winning a High Court challenge.
The former foreign secretary was handed a summons, issued by District Judge Margot Coleman on May 29, to attend Westminster Magistrates’ Court to face three allegations of misconduct in public office.
But, following a hearing in London on Friday, Lady Justice Rafferty and Mr Justice Supperstone overturned the earlier decision.
Addressing Johnson’s barrister, Adrian Darbishire QC, Lady Justice Rafferty said: “We are persuaded, Mr Darbishire, so you succeed, and the relief that we grant is the quashing of the summonses.”
The judge said reasons for the court’s ruling will be given at a later date.
He crowdfunded more than £300,000 through an online campaign to bring the prosecution.
The controversial sum was emblazoned on the red campaign bus used by Vote Leave during the referendum, with the slogan saying “We send the EU £350 million a week, let’s fund our NHS instead”.
Darbishire argued that the attempt to prosecute Johnson was “politically motivated and vexatious”.
Johnson, who is currently the front runner in the Conservative party leadership contest, did not have to appear and did not attend the High Court hearing. He did not comment on the case either.
In a tweet, Ball said: “This is not over.
“Awaiting written reasons from the court before we decide on next steps.
“Nothing this important is ever easy or simple.
“I have a duty to my country to keep fighting lying in politics and I take it bloody seriously.”