Bank of England Deputy Governor Ben Broadbent said he had not decided whether he would apply to succeed Mark Carney, who is due to step down on Jan. 31 next year.

Broadbent, who has been deputy governor for monetary policy since July 2014, is viewed as a leading contender for the role, though the favourite is generally seen as Financial Conduct Authority chief executive Andrew Bailey.

Broadbent said he was "fully absorbed by and very privileged to have the job I have at the moment".

Pressed on whether he would apply for the governorship before a June 5 deadline set out in the formal job advertisement last month, he said: "I haven't decided yet."