Boris Johnson 'lodges appeal over Brexit referendum campaign court summons'

Boris Johnson is allegedly trying to reverse a decision to summons him to court over claims he lied to the public during the Brexit campaign.

Marcus Ball, who brought the private prosecution against Mr Johnson, said the former foreign secretary has lodged an application for a judicial review over the decision, made by a judge at Westminster magistrates court, to summons him to court.

Mr Johnson faces a crown court trial over three allegations of misconduct in public office during the 2016 referendum campaign and the 2017 general election.

He is accused of using his position to mislead the public with the Leave campaign’s slogan that Britain gives the EU £350 million a week, which could instead be redirected to the NHS.

Boris Johnson has reportedly lodged an application against a court summons over claims made during the Brexit campaign (AFP/Getty Images)

Mr Johnson, the favourite to win the Tory leadership, denies any wrongdoing.

Mr Ball said Mr Johnson's legal team was seeking an order that it was unlawful for Westminster Magistrates' Court to issue the summons against the Tory MP.

They also want to suspend the criminal proceedings against him until the application for judicial review was determined, he said.

Mr Ball said he was named an "interested party" in the application and would oppose the order.