British MPs order parliamentary probe into PM Boris Johnson's alleged lies

Mr. Johnson has been fined for attending a party in his office in June 2020.

British lawmakers have ordered a parliamentary investigation into Prime Minister Boris Johnson for allegedly lying about whether he broke coronavirus restrictions by attending illegal gatherings during the pandemic.

The move, approved by cries of “aye” and without a formal vote in the House of Commons, means Parliament’s Committee of Privileges will investigate whether Mr. Johnson knowingly misled Parliament — historically a resigning offense if proven.

The probe piles more pressure on a Conservative Prime Minister whose grip on power has been shaken by claims he flouted the pandemic rules he imposed on the country, then repeatedly failed to own up to it.

The move was instigated by the opposition Labour Party and passed after the government abandoned efforts to get Conservative lawmakers to block it.

Mr. Johnson was fined 50 pounds ($66) by police last week for attending a party in his office in June 2020.

Lawmaker Steve Baker, until now a prominent supporter of Mr. Johnson, said that Mr. Johnson “should be long gone” for violating the “letter and spirit” of the rules.”

“I’ll certainly vote for this motion,” he said. “But really, the Prime Minister should just know the gig’s up.”