Boris Johnson has been ordered to appear in court over claims he lied by saying the UK gave the EU £350m a week. The Tory leadership candidate has been accused of misconduct in public office after making the claim during the 2016 EU referendum campaign.

It is a private prosecution launched by campaigner Marcus Ball, who crowdfunded £200,000 for the case. Mr Johnson's representatives have called the case a "stunt" that is being "brought for political purposes". The preliminary hearing will take place at Westminster Magistrates' Court and the case will then be sent to the Crown Court for trial.