Allies of the ex-chancellor say he now has enough backers to run, as the former PM heads home from the Caribbean.
Image source, PA MediaRishi Sunak has pulled ahead in the race to become the next Conservative leader and prime minister.
The ex-chancellor has 92 endorsements from Tory MPs so far, eight short of the 100 needed, a BBC tally showed.
Meanwhile, former leader Boris Johnson, with 44 backers, was poised to enter the contest to succeed Liz Truss as he flew back from a Caribbean holiday.
Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt became the first candidate to declare, counting 21 supporters so far.
Neither Mr Sunak nor Mr Johnson have officially launched their campaigns, but this has not stopped backers declaring their support.
Late on Friday, senior Tory MP Tobias Ellwood claimed Mr Sunak had already reached the 100 nominations needed to make it onto the ballot paper.
“Honoured to be the 100th Tory MP to support #Ready4Rishi,” he tweeted.
Following Ms Truss’ shock resignation on Thursday, it was announced by Tory party officials that another leadership contest would start immediately – only a couple of months after the last one concluded.