Rishi Sunak could replace Liz Truss as Prime Minister later today after Boris Johnson ruled himself out of the race for No 10.
Tory MPs will choose who they want to be their new leader in the first stage of the contest this afternoon, should both remaining candidates get the 100 nominations required to reserve a place on the ballot.
There is uncertainty over Sunak's rival Penny Mordaunt' s prospects of securing sufficient support from MPs. If she falls short of this total by the deadline of 2pm, or pulls out of the contest, Sunak will take charge of the party without the need for a vote.
