Boris Johnson has revealed he will run for leadership of the conservative party when Theresa May exits the role.
Asked at a business event in Manchester if he would be a candidate, the former foreign secretary replied: “Of course I’m going to go for it.”
Mrs May has said she will resign once the House of Commons backs her Brexit deal with the EU.
Former London mayor Mr Johnson was quoted as acknowledging there was no current vacancy in Downing Street.
The widely touted possible contenders include former and current members of the Cabinet, including Michael Gove, Amber Rudd, Sajid Javid, Dominic Raab, Jeremy Hunt, Penny Mordaunt and Liz Truss.
Mrs May has held talks with senior Conservative MPs who are demanding she sets a date for her departure from Downing Street.