LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday threw her weight behind Bank of England governor Mark Carney, who faces intense speculation over his future.
Carney began his tenure in 2013, stressing his intention to serve only five years of an eight-year term for personal reasons, meaning he would step down in 2018.
But in late 2015, the Canadian refused to rule out staying for the full eight years in the run-up to the Brexit referendum.
May's intervention came as media was divided over Carney's fate -- with competing claims over whether he was set to announce his departure amid tensions following Britain's June 23 vote in favour of exiting the European Union.
All eyes will now be on Carney, 51, this Thursday, when he will present the central bank's latest interest rate announcement alongside its latest quarterly forecasts for economic growth and inflation.
"The prime minister has been clear in her support for the governor, the work he is doing for the country," May's official spokeswoman told reporters on Monday.
"It's clearly a decision for him but the prime minister would certainly be supportive of him going on beyond his five years."
The premier regards him as "absolutely" the right person for the job, she added.
The Sunday Times, citing senior figures who had worked closely with the governor, reported that he was "disillusioned" with May's Conservative government and criticism over his stance since the Brexit vote on June 23.
The Financial Times, however, said he was "ready" to serve a full eight-year term, reporting that Carney had told friends he was readying a statement.
"The prime minister has always had a good working relationship with the governor of the Bank of England and intends to continue that," added May's spokeswoman on Monday.
"She recognises the work that he's been doing for the country and supports that, while recognising it's also a decision for him.
"She's fully supportive of the work that he has done as is doing for the country."
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