British deputy prime minister John Prescott is expected to say he will step down at the same time as Tony Blair when he delivers the final speech of the Labour Party conference today.
Mr Blair has already said that this will be his last conference and his long-time deputy is almost certain to follow suit in what could be his conference swansong, according to reports.
Mr Prescott had hoped to stay as deputy leader through the transition to a new leader and then quit at the next election, the Daily Telegraphsaid. He changed his plans after coming under fire over an affair with his secretary and links to a US tycoon hoping to open a casino in London, the report said.
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott
Mr Prescott broke ranks with his senior colleagues yesterday by backing Chancellor Gordon Brown to replace Mr Blair, the Timessaid.
At a party hosted by the Amicus union, he said: "Make no mistake about it. When it comes to it, Gordon Brown is the man I'm backing."
The race to succeed him gathered pace yesterday when left-leaning parliamentarian Jon Cruddas threw his hat into the ring.
Mr Cruddas said he wanted to re-engage many natural Labour Party supporters who had been alienated by Mr Blair's policies.
Jack Straw, former foreign secretary and now the government's leader in the House of Commons; Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain; and constitutional affairs minister Harriet Harman have also said they will stand.
Home Secretary John Reid and Education Secretary Alan Johnson may also stand, although they have yet to rule out putting themselves forward for Mr Blair's job.