Boris Johnson's 12 December election plan has cleared its first hurdle as MPs backed it without a formal vote.

Axar.az reports citing BBC.

They will continue to debate and vote later on amendments, including a Labour proposal to change the date to 9 December.

The prime minister can only hold an election with the support of MPs - who have blocked it three times.

Efforts by opposition MPs to lower the voting age to 16 and allow EU nationals to take part have failed.

Proposed changes to the PM's early election bill to extend voting rights were not selected for debate by the Deputy Speaker despite enjoying cross-party support.