Bookies slash the odds on Andrea Leadsom to replace Theresa May as next UK Prime Minister

Bookies have slashed the odds on the prospect of Andrea Leadsom becoming the next Prime Minister.

Leadsom, who ran against Theresa May for the top job after the Brexit vote, has been in the headlines today after it emerged she demanded Michael Fallon leave his role as defence secretary.

Read more: Theresa May limps on as Jeremy Corbyn swaggers

The Sun reported that Fallon was ousted from the Cabinet yesterday due to lewd comments he made to Leadsom at a parliamentary meeting six years ago.

Leadsom is currently leader of the House of Commons and has been spearheading the government response to the growing sexual misconduct scandal in parliament.

Read more: Michael Fallon has resigned as defence secretary over past behaviour

Today, Betway said it had slashed its odds of Leadsom becoming leader from 80/1 to 16/1.

Here are the other top contenders, according to Betway:

Michael Gove

9/2

Boris Johnson

9/2

Phillip Hammond

6/1

Amber Rudd

8/1

Jacob Rees-Mogg

9/1

Andrea Leadsom

16/1 (from 80/1)

Damian Green

16/1

Ruth Davidson

16/1

Gavin Williamson

16/1

Betway’s Alan Alger said: “The money we’ve seen come in over the last 24 hours could indicate that Andrea Leadsom is preparing to launch a bid for the Tory leadership.”

Leadsom’s previous bid for leadership fell flat when she suggested that May did not have a real stake in the future of the UK because she did not have children. There was a fierce backlash to her remarks, and she was forced to withdraw from the race.

May addressed Leadsom’s comments at the Conservative party conference this year, speaking emotively of how she had never been “blessed” with children.