Canadian lawmakers are calling for David Johnston, who was appointed as an independent special rapporteur to investigate allegations of Chinese interference in Canadian politics, to step down from his role leading a probe into allegations of foreign interference.

Canada’s House of Commons voted on Wednesday for the removal of a foreign interference tsar appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Lawmakers passed a non-binding motion for David Johnston to “step aside from his role” in a 174-150 vote, with the Conservatives and Bloc Québécois lending their support, while the Liberals stood opposed.

Johnston, whom Trudeau named back in March to look into allegations that China tried meddling in Canada’s past two federal elections, has been criticised for his ties to the prime minister; the pair were called “ski buddies” by the opposition.

Wednesday’s motion asked the government to launch a public inquiry into the issue of foreign interference, which Johnston recommended against in his initial report last week.

The former governor general, whom Trudeau appointed as an independent special rapporteur to investigate allegations of Chinese interference in Canadian politics, has said he has a “duty” to finish his work investigating election meddling.

“When I accepted the mandate to act as Independent Special Rapporteur, I did so with full knowledge of the fact that the work ahead would be neither straightforward nor uncontroversial,” he said in a statement.

“I deeply respect the right of the House of Commons to express its opinion about my work going forward, but my mandate comes from the government.”

Johnston, who has called attacks on his integrity “baseless accusations”, has recommended a series of public hearings to probe the meddling claims.

Earlier in the day, Trudeau said he maintained confidence in the tsar, despite the stance of opposition MPs.

Opposition parties initially decried his appointment because of Johnston’s family connections to the prime minister’s family and the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, a charitable organisation named after Trudeau’s late father who was a former Canadian prime minister.

Trudeau brushed off those concerns, telling reporters he views the matter as political parties wanting to score “partisan points.”

“The fact of the matter is David Johnston has served this country in extraordinary capacities for decades,” he said Wednesday on his way into a meeting with his Liberal caucus. “He’s taken this incredibly seriously.”

Trudeau and Johnston have holiday homes near each other and the families have been known to ski together.

Wednesday’s motion was brought forward by New Democratic Party MP Jenny Kwan, who this week said Canada’s top spy agency had informed her she is being targeted by the Chinese government.