BORIS Johnson will face a parliamentary investigation after MPs agreed to refer the Prime Minister over claims he misled Parliament about Downing Street parties during Covid lockdowns.

The Labour motion on Thursday (April 21) passed without a vote after receiving no objections, with No 10 opting against tabling its own delay amendment.

The decision means MPs on the Privileges Committee will investigate whether Mr Johnson is in contempt of Parliament for misleading the Commons with his repeated denials of lockdown-busting parties in No 10.

The probe will only begin after Scotland Yard has completed its own inquiry into alleged coronavirus law breaches at the heart of Government.

The Northern Echo: Conservative MPs used the afternoon debate on the PM’s truthfulness to express their disgruntlement at his handling of the allegations, with more coming forward with calls for him to resign.Conservative MPs used the afternoon debate on the PM’s truthfulness to express their disgruntlement at his handling of the allegations, with more coming forward with calls for him to resign.

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Speaking before the result was confirmed, Cabinet Office minister Michael Ellis told the Commons, the Prime Minister “has always been clear that he is happy to face whatever inquiries Parliament sees fit.”

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said MPs were having to resort to establishing a parliamentary investigation “because the Prime Minister has failed to do the decent thing and resign.”

Alex Cunningham, Labour MP for Stockton North made his feeling toward the Boris Johnson very clear.

He said: “The Prime Minister broke the laws he put in place and expected the British public to abide by, misled Parliament and repeatedly lied about his knowledge of parties at Number 10 Downing Street.

“Honesty and trust matters in politics and it is right that the Prime Minister faces a parliamentary investigation into his conduct. As I said in Parliament on Tuesday, however, I believe the best thing the Prime Minister can do now is resign.”

The Northern Echo: Alex Cunningham MP is unimpressed with Boris JohnsonAlex Cunningham MP is unimpressed with Boris Johnson

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Andy McDonald, Labour MP for Middlesbrough was also frank in his comments about the Prime Minister.

He said: “The clock is winding down on Johnson’s premiership. The dial has shifted considerably today. There is far more disquiet on the Tory benches than Johnson realises. What happens next is critical for the future of our democracy.

“The Prime Minister is incapable of facing up to the consequences of his lawbreaking. It is up to Tory MPs to show some backbone and bring this sorry episode and this premiership to an end.” 

The Northern Echo: Andy McDonald MP didn't hold back with his opinions on Mr JohnsonAndy McDonald MP didn't hold back with his opinions on Mr Johnson (Image: Gov.uk)

Mr Johnson, who missed the motion debate and decision because he is on an official visit to India, has already been fined once by Metropolitan Police for attending his own birthday celebration in June 2020, with his officials braced for more fixed-penalty notices to land.

He is thought to have been at six of the 12 possible rule-breaking events being considered by Operation Hillman officers.

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Conservative MPs used the afternoon debate on the PM’s truthfulness to express their disgruntlement at his handling of the allegations, with more coming forward with calls for him to resign.

The motion laid before MPs said that Mr Johnson’s comments “including but not limited to” four separate remarks in the Commons “appear to amount to misleading the House”.

The Prime Minister had, speaking from the despatch box, previously said that all Covid rules were followed in Downing Street.

As well as the police and parliamentary investigation, there has already been a review carried out of the partygate allegations by senior civil servant Sue Gray, who is waiting to publish her full findings.

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