British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has won his confidence vote, with a majority of Conservative legislators deciding against removing him as prime minister and leader of their party.

Mr Johnson won the Conservative party-only secret balloting by 211 to 148, exceeding the simple majority of 180 votes he needed. The result was announced by the chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady.

Mr Johnson, who in 2019 won his party’s biggest majority, has faced mounting pressure to resign after it was revealed that parties were held at Downing Street – the prime ministers’ home and office – during COVID-19 lockdowns.

Mr Johnson had said he was unaware of the parties, though he attended what he said he thought was a work event on May 20, 2020, to which revellers had been told to “bring their own booze.”

The events that breached COVID-19 laws at the start of the pandemic spanned over eight events including the “bring your own booze” Downing Street garden party on 20 May 2020, Mr Johnson’s birthday party on 19 June 2020, and a gathering in the prime minister’s official residence on November 13 that year.

Candidates that were considered to succeed Mr Johnson include Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss. 

Last month, the Metropolitan Police concluded its investigation into the Downing Street parties and issued 126 fines. Mr Johnson, his wife Carrie and Mr Sunak had been issued fines. Mr Johnson had paid his £50 ($66) fine and apologised to lawmakers.