Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt, two contenders in Britain's previous leadership contest this year, are believed to be in the running to become the nation's next prime minister following Liz Truss's resignation on Thursday, Sky News reported.
Separately the Guardian's political editor reported former minister Michael Gove was "ruled out" for the leadership.
(Reporting by Muvija M and William James, writing by Sachin Ravikumar, Editing by Kylie MacLellan)