Britain could have a new prime minister by early September, the ruling Conservative Party says, after David Cameron started laying the groundwork for his successor to trigger the country's exit from the European Union.
The government is under pressure to fill a vacuum left when Cameron announced he would resign by October after Britain ignored his advice and voted to leave the 28-member bloc in last week's referendum.
Triggering a leadership battle that could draw in some of his closest advisers, Cameron urged ministers to work together in the meantime.
But he also formed a separate unit, staffed by public servants, to help advise Britain on its departure and its options for a future outside the EU.
Asked about the possibility of a second EU referendum, Cameron said the result of Thursday's vote must be accepted.
Graham Brady, chair of the "1922 Committee" of Conservative lawmakers said the group had recommended that the leadership contest should begin next week and conclude no later than September 2.
That recommendation will almost certainly be passed.
He said there should be no new parliamentary election before Britain had negotiated exit terms.
Several Conservative lawmakers have urged leadership candidates to try to broker a deal quickly to make sure that any campaign is as painless as possible, and to avoid deepening divisions exposed during the referendum campaign.
Work and pensions minister Stephen Crabb is considering a bid to succeed Cameron and is canvassing Conservative lawmakers for support along with Business Secretary Sajid Javid, who is seeking to become finance minister, Sky News reported, citing sources.
The editor of the Spectator magazine tweeted that Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt was also "highly likely" to launch a leadership bid.
But all eyes are on former London mayor Boris Johnson, the most prominent of the "Leave" campaigners and now bookmakers' favourite to succeed Cameron.
But not all party members back him and many are pressing for "Anyone But Boris", seeing his decision to back the Leave campaign as a betrayal of his former ally Cameron, according to media reports.
Cameron's spokesman said the prime minister would not endorse any candidate to succeed him.
Cameron told parliament he would not put up with intolerance, after reports that migrants, particularly those from Poland, had been told by some Britons to "go home" since the referendum.
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