As Boris Johnson stares at exit, Penny Mordaunt, Rishi Sunak lead race to 10, Downing Street: Report
With Boris Johnson's premiership in its definitive final stretch – the British media has reported that the embattled PM of the United Kingdom will step down today – all eyes will be on his successor, whose name is likely to be announced soon.
Also Read: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson agrees to resign amid pressure: Report
According to The Spectator, a weekly British magazine on politics, culture and current affairs, two candidates in particular have the highest chance of succeeding Johnson in 10, Downing Street. The London-based publication, citing data from Oddschecker, reported that Penny Mordaunt and Rishi Sunak, at 22% each, are bookies' favourites to be the 78th premier of the UK.
While Mordaunt is the Minister of State for Trade Policy and Member of Parliament (MP) from Portsmouth North, Sunak, recently resigned as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and is among several Tory MPs who left Johnson's government over the last few days.
Also Read: ‘I will not resign,’ says UK PM Boris Johnson | List of Tory MPs who quit govt
Meanwhile, secretary of defence Ben Wallace (17% odds) is next on the list, followed by foreign secretary Liz Truss and Sajid Javid, who resigned as resigned as health secretary (14% each). Sunak's successor, Nadhim Zahawi, and Dominic Raab, the deputy PM, both came in at 13%. Tom Tugendhat (11%), Jeremy Hunt (10%) and Steve Baker (7%) completed the list.
Also Read | What Boris Johnson's mouser said on cabinet exodus as he agrees to quit as UK PM
It is to be noted that the numbers are from 9:42am local time. The contenders may slip up or down in the hours to come.
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Salman Rushdie attack a 'wake-up call' on Iran, says UK PM candidate Sunak
Rishi Sunak, one of two candidates seeking to become Britain's next prime minister, said Friday's attack on author Salman Rushdie should serve as a wake-up call to the West over Iran, the Sunday Telegraph reported. Indian-born author Rushdie, who spent years in hiding after Iran urged Muslims to kill him over his novel "The Satanic Verses", was stabbed in the neck and torso on stage at a lecture in New York state.
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Salman Rushdie ‘off ventilator and talking’, day after attack, says agent
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US President Biden expresses shock at ‘vicious attack’ on Salman Rushdie
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Author Salman Rushdie’s attacker pleads not guilty to attempted murder
A 24-year old New Jersey man charged with attempted murder and assault for attacking author Salman Rushdie has pleaded not guilty. Hadi Matar of Fairview, New Jersey was arraigned in centralised arraignment on Saturday and was remanded without bail at Chautauqua County Jail. Authorities with New York State Police told PTI that Matar pleaded not guilty and was held in the Chautauqua County Jail.
