Would-be Boris successors ready for race to become British PM

LONDON, July 08 (AFP/Reuters): Would-be successors to scandal-ridden British Prime Minister Boris Johnson were readying Friday for what will be a prolonged battle, the day after an extraordinary exodus of Conservative ministers brought about their leader's downfall.
Johnson resigned on Thursday as Tory leader, acknowledging that it was "clearly the will of the parliamentary Conservative party that there should be a new leader of that party, and therefore a new prime minister".
The leadership election is expected to take place over the coming months, and the victor will replace Johnson by the party's annual conference in early October.
Defence minister Ben Wallace and Rishi Sunak-whose resignation as finance minister on Tuesday set off the chain of exits-were among the early frontrunners to take over, a YouGov survey of Tory members suggested.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, another potential contender, cut short a trip to Indonesia for a G20 meeting to fly back.
So far Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat is the only person to officially announce their campaign, though Attorney General Suella Braverman and Brexiteer Steve Baker have both signalled interest.
In Johnson's unrepentant resignation speech on Thursday he said he would stay on until his successor is found. But calls are building for him to leave immediately, and for an acting leader to head the world's fifth-largest economy.
Polling suggested most Britons favour his rapid exit, as claims surfaced that Johnson is only hanging on to enjoy a wedding party with wife Carrie at his government-funded country retreat.
A Reuters report adds: Britain's Boris Johnson and his wife, Carrie, are changing the location of a planned wedding party, an ally of the prime minister said on Friday, denying allegations that he was staying on in a caretaker role because of it.
The Mirror newspaper reported on Thursday that Johnson, who has said he will resign, wanted to stay on for a few months in part because he planned to throw a party at his official Chequers country residence later this month to celebrate his marriage.
An ally of the prime minister said on condition of anonymity that "it's utterly ridiculous to suggest" the party plan was a reason for Johnson to stay on in a caretaker role. The party would no longer take place at Chequers.
Asked about the report on Thursday, a Downing Street spokesperson said: "The Prime Minister has a strong sense of duty and will continue to serve his country until a new leader is in place, solely to continue his obligation to the public."