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Boris Johnson has reportedly launched an appeal against the summons issued to him over allegations of misconduct in a public office after he was accused of "lying" in the EU referendum.

Campaigner Marcus Ball, 29, said Mr Johnson had launched a judicial review application in the Administrative Court.

Mr Johnson's lawyers will argue the summons issued to him last Wednesday by District Judge Margot Coleman was unlawful, and that the criminal proceedings against him should be suspended until the judicial review application is determined, Mr Ball said.

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

The Tory leadership frontrunner faces a Crown Court trial over the bombshell claims as part of a long-running private prosecution bid.

(Image: PA)

The legal case has been pursued for almost three years by 29-year-old 'Brexit Justice' campaigner Mr Ball, who has crowdfunded more than £230,000.

Court papers show Mr Ball claims Mr Johnson "repeatedly lied and misled the British public" when he said EU membership cost £350million a week.

Westminster Magistrates' Court last week granted Mr Ball's application to issue a summons for the Tory MP to appear in court.

But Mr Johnson lawyers have branded the prosecution a "stunt" brought "for political purposes", and denied misconduct - is not being charged by the state with a criminal offence.

A spokesman for Mr Johnson last night declined to comment.

If Mr Johnson is granted judicial review, a more senior judge will decide whether the summons was lawful, and therefore whether any further proceedings will take place.