Lt. Gov. David A. Paterson would succeed Mr. Spitzer in the event of a resignation.
But Mr. Paterson, the lieutenant governor who would succeed Mr. Spitzer in the event of a resignation, only learned of the allegations at midday, from an aide to the governor.
For most of the colonial period, in the event of the resignation, prolonged absence or death of the royal governor, the province would be administered by an "acting governor" who was the president of the Provincial Council (also called the "Governor's Council")—the upper house of the colonial legislature.
Under a 1947 enactment, in the event of the death, resignation or inability of both the president and the vice-president, the next in line of succession is the speaker of the House.
According to the constitution, "In the event of the death, resignation, or dismissal of the leader, the (Assembly of) Experts shall take steps within the shortest possible time for the appointment of the new leader".
At one point, the author writes, officials considered invoking the 25th Amendment ― which allows a president to be removed from office in the event of death, removal, resignation or incapacitation.
Speaking on the same radio program, he promised to carry out "with humility and patience" a job that, according to the new Constitution, would see him replace the head of state in the event of the president's resignation, incapacity or death.
Hannah held a dormant commission as Administrator of the Commonwealth to act as Governor-General in the event of Kerr's death, resignation, or absence from Australia.
Democrats, for their part, reacted with their familiar mix of outrage at the turn of events and resignation at their inability to do much to prevent them.
Mr Miliband made clear in an interview with The Independent on Sunday that he was positioning himself at the front of the pack in the event of the Prime Minister's resignation.
