Prominent British Conservatives were today biding their time as they decide whether to launch bids to replace Mr William Hague as party leader.
Former Chancellor Mr Ken Clarke said it would be "a week or two at least" before he made up his mind whether to contest the leadership.
He denied reports a deal had been struck between himself and eurosceptic Mr Michael Portillo - or anybody else - in the race to succeed Mr Hague, who announced his intention to stand down last Friday in the aftermath of the Tories' heavy election defeat by Labour.
Mr Portillo was back in Britain after a weekend break in Morocco but said little about his intentions when he arrived at his London home this afternoon.
"We've had a wonderful holiday. It was a great opportunity to think things through. I'll be giving a statement shortly," he said. Asked if that statement would come later today, Mr Portillo said: "No."
Shadow home secretary Ms Ann Widdecombe remained the only potential challenger to have spoken out openly of the possibility of becoming a candidate.
Mr Clarke, asked about reports of a pact with Mr Portillo, told the BBC: "I have no pact with Michael Portillo or anybody else, and I have had no negotiations about any agreements of that kind.
"In fact, I don't think I shall be making up my mind about what I shall do for a week or two at least."
Mr Clarke was not the only Tory MP to adopt a "wait and see" policy on the leadership battle.
Shadow defence secretary Mr Iain Duncan Smith also said he had not yet decided whether to throw his hat into the ring.
"I, like many others, will consider where we go from here. It shows a degree of unseemly haste if people suddenly say now that they know the solution to all our problems," he said.
His comments could be seen as a tacit rebuke to Ms Widdecombe, who disclosed at the weekend she was "taking soundings" among Tory MPs to see if she could attract sufficient support to mount a successful leadership bid.
PA