Boris Johnson faces court hearing for misconduct

Boris Johnson, the prominent British politician who is among front-runners in the race to become the nation's next prime minister, is reportedly appealing against a summons to appear in court to answer claims he committed misconduct in public office.

Campaigner Marcus Ball brought the private prosecution over Johnson's alleged claims, made during campaigning ahead of the 2016 referendum on whether the United Kingdom should leave the European Union. Ball is challenging Johnson's claim then that the UK sent the EU 350 million pounds ($443 million) a week. Ball alleges the figure was deliberately exaggerated in order to trick voters into choosing to leave the EU in the exit referendum.

Johnson, who served as the United Kingdom's foreign secretary before he resigned in July, has reportedly instructed his lawyers to argue that the summons issued by District Judge Margot Coleman on May 29 was unlawful and that criminal proceedings should be suspended.