The UK Government will be left paralysed for months if Boris Johnson stays in Downing Street until his successor is chosen, senior Conservatives have warned.
The Prime Minister finally succumbed to days of intense pressure and ministerial revolt yesterday - but now faces a fresh battle over the timing of his exit.
Calls are growing – including from Sir John Major, a former prime minister – for Mr Johnson to depart immediately and hand over power to a “caretaker”.
This morning, it is being reported that his one-time friend, Michael Gove, wants Mr Johnson out of office by Monday night.
The race to replace Boris Johnson has begun, after the prime minister quit as Tory leader following a dramatic few days that saw his authority collapse.
Tom Tugendhat is the latest MP to throw his hat into the ring, joining Attorney General Suella Braverman and Brexiteer Steve Baker who have shown interest.
Mr Johnson plans to stay on as PM until a new successor is found by the autumn. He has told his new Cabinet he would not make any major policy changes, leading to questions about how he could handle the policy challenges of the coming months.
A Downing Street readout of the meeting said of the Prime Minister: “He made clear the Government would not seek to implement new policies or make major changes of direction, rather it would focus on delivering the agenda on which the Government was elected. He said major fiscal decisions should be left for the next prime minister.”
However, Sir John Major, the former Tory prime minister, warned in a letter to 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady that Mr Johnson must leave office now "for the wellbeing of the country".
The timetable for the Tory leadership race is due to be confirmed next week and the new prime minister is expected to be in position by September.
But unofficially, the contest is already under way. The chair of the foreign affairs committee Mr Tugendhat, launched his leadership bid by writing in the Daily Telegraph on Friday, promising tax cuts and "new energy and ideas" for government.
"I have served before - in the military, and now in Parliament. Now I hope to answer the call once again as prime minister," said the former soldier, who has been a prominent critic of Mr Johnson.
Attorney General Ms Braverman has already confirmed she will stand, while former Brexit minister Mr Baker said he was "seriously" considering running after being asked by people to do so.
Sajid Javid, the former health secretary, and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps - who both revolted against Mr Johnson - are also considering putting their hats into the ring, the BBC has been told.
Others tipped to run include Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, former Chancellor Rishi Sunak and ex-Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt.