Sir Keir Starmer is increasingly expected to announce that he will set out a timetable for his departure on Monday, as his leading challenger Andy Burnham arrives in Westminster.
The prime minister, who spent the weekend talking over his political future with his family at Chequers, is believed to be preparing to unveil his resignation plan against a backdrop of growing pressure to quit.
No 10 has insisted Sir Keir’s position remained unchanged from Friday, when he said he will not “walk away” from Downing Street and will stand in any potential contest.
However, The Independent understands that Sir Keir has been discussing a plan to hand over the Labour leadership to Mr Burnham, with the former Mayor of Manchester seeking a transition in September to allow him time to prepare.
It follows a weekend of growing discontent from Labour MPs, with foreign secretary Yvette Cooper understood to become the most senior minister to call on Sir Keir to step down.
Also, in an extraordinary intervention on Sunday afternoon, US president Donald Trump wrote on social media that the PM will resign after failing on immigration and energy.
Sir Keir only broke his silence over the weekend to put out a message on Fathers’ Day.
