Hague ‘likely to take charge if PM dies’

William Hague would be the most likely MP to take over the government in the event of the Prime Minister’s death, former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott has said.

A Tory backbencher called for clarity on the order of succession were David Cameron to be killed, saying he did not believe Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg should be first in line.

Lord Prescott told the BBC he expected that if the Prime Minister died, the Cabinet Secretary would look first to the First Secretary of State as the Cabinet’s most senior member.

The title is currently held by Mr Hague, the Foreign Secretary. Lord Prescott held the title at the same time as being deputy prime minister under Tony Blair.

Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O’Donnell said “contingency plans” were in place to cover various situations.