British parliament to investigate Boris Johnson's lockdown parties row

British politicians have ordered a parliamentary investigation into whether Prime Minister Boris Johnson lied about whether he broke coronavirus restrictions by attending gatherings, Report informs, citing ABC News.

The move, approved by cries of "aye" and without a formal vote in the House of Commons on Thursday, means parliament's Committee of Privileges will investigate whether Mr Johnson knowingly misled parliament — historically a resigning offence if proven.

The probe piles more pressure on a Conservative prime minister whose grip on power has been shaken by allegations he flouted the COVID-19 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 politicians to block it.