Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to resist any challenge to his leadership from Labour MPs, his allies have confirmed.
The BBC reports there are fears among Starmer's supporters that his position may be under threat in the wake of the autumn budget, which is just weeks away.
Among the names being mentioned as potential candidates to replace Starmer are some of his closest cabinet allies including health secretary Wes Streeting.
Streeting has this morning responded to the rumours and denied he plans to challenge Starmer for the Labour leadership.
Asked if he would rule out a challenge to Starmer following the Budget on November 26, Streeting said “yes”.
“I am not going in to demand the PMs resignation, I support the PM, I have done since he was elected leader of the Labour party,” Streeting told Sky News.
There is even speculation Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, could throw his hat in the ring, along with home secretary Shabana Mahmood.
One minister standing by Starmer told the BBC: "He is one of only two people alive who have won a general election for Labour. It'd be madness to run against him after 17 months."
The Financial Times reports another minister described the briefings by the UK prime minister’s allies about the risks of a possible coup as “mad”, adding: “Why would you want to create a leadership crisis two weeks before the Budget?”