Theresa May is “uniquely placed” to step up as the interim Prime Minister with Boris Johnson to resign as Conservative Party leader, according to reports.
Mr Johnson faced mounting pressure to step down following the Chris Pincher row and is expected to officially announced his resignation from the Tory Party later today.
Dozens of Tory politicians have resigned from their roles within Government in the last few days, including former Health Secretary Sajid Javid and ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak.
While Mr Johnson is expected to stay on until Prime Minister, but he could choose to relinquish his duties with immediate effect.
Theresa May and Boris Johnson
PA
Mr Johnson is under mounting pressure after a host of Tory MPs resigned
UK Parliament
In which case an interim Tory leader would be appointed, who would in turn also become the caretaker Prime Minister.
And former Prime Minister Ms May, who held office between 2016 and 2019, could reportedly make a dramatic return to No.10.
A report in the Daily Mail said: “She knows the ropes and the security stuff, she’s a party woman through and through, she’s definitely not interested in standing for it herself and would be credible.
“She is uniquely placed.”
Mr Johnson has spoken to 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady and agreed to stand down, with a new Tory leader set to be in place by the party conference in October.
A No 10 spokesman said: “The Prime Minister will make a statement to the country today.”
The news comes just minutes after newly-appointed Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi told the PM to resign.
His comments come just days after the Prime Minister appointed Mr Zahawi as the new Chancellor following the resignation of Rishi Sunak.
In a tweet accompanying a letter, Mr Zahawi said: “Prime Minister: this is not sustainable and it will only get worse: for you, for the Conservative Party and most importantly of all the country.
"You must do the right thing and go now.”