One of Keir Starmer’s top team has dropped the biggest hint yet that the Prime Minister will quit tomorrow. Business Secretary Peter Kyle said he isn’t “delusional” about what is happening and said Labour must “govern through whatever unfolds” in the coming days.

Mr Kyle refused to deny that Sir Keir is planning to throw in the towel after Andy Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by-election and said that the PM is thinking about the “national interests” not his “personal” circircumstances. Sir Keir is under intense pressure to stand down or set out a timetable for his departure.

He has been at Chequers this weekend dicussing his future with wife, Victoria.

Mr Burnham will arrive in Westminster tomorrow to be sworn in as an MP.

Mr Kyle said the Government would make sure that “whatever unfolds” in the coming days will be a “functional process” whereby the Labour Party puts the “interests of the country first and foremost”.

The Cabinet minister told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “Now, I can’t predict the future.

“I don’t know what’s going to unfold in the days that lie ahead. I don’t know the decisions that he will make on behalf of our country as he considers these issues, and then makes decisions.

“But we will find a way for this to be whatever unfolds, a functional process, one where the Labour Party is seen to put the interests of the country first and foremost, and we will carry on delivering for this country through whatever does unfold in the days ahead.

“That’s because Keir demands it.”

Asked about reports Sir Keir Starmer is planning to announce his resignation, Business Secretary Peter Kyle told Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips: “I have nothing to believe that they are true. I’m seeing a lot of speculation out there.

“The only thing I can say with fact is that the Prime Minister is hard at work, as he is every day.

“He is one of the most hardworking people I’ve ever come across, and today, as in every other day I’ve ever known Keir, he is out there working hard.

“At the same time he is also trying to create the space where he can think and reflect on the political realities and challenges and the opportunities that lie before us.”

The Business Secretary said he had not spoken to the Prime Minister since Friday, when he had a “frank conversation” with him.

Peter Kyle said Sir Keir Starmer’s mindset was “calm” during the “lengthy conversation” and he talked about the interest of the country.

“As well as working really hard over this weekend, I think he is making time to reflect on the political realities, challenges, and opportunities that he finds himself in.

“I think that is what people would expect him to be doing at this moment in time,” he told Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips.

Asked if it was time for Sir Keir Starmer to relinquish office, he said: “I had a very frank conversation with the Prime Minister about all these issues and much more on Friday.

“My priority when I think what my role is in putting the country first is to uphold the authority of this government, to make sure that we can govern through a moment of political challenge, and that we are 100% focused on delivering.”