It's understood Northern Ireland's first minister Arlene Foster is facing a battle to remain leader of the Democratic Unionist Party.
It's reported three in four of the DUP's MLAs have signed a letter demanding a leadership contest.
Ms Foster has since played down suggestions her leadership's under threat.
In a statement, the DUP says its internal electoral processes are matters for members, and it won't be making any further comment.
It's understood several DUP constituency associations have written letters expressing concern at Mrs Foster's decision to abstain from an Assembly vote on gay conversion therapy.
The motion calling for a ban did not incorporate a specific mention of protections for religious practices.
The newspaper also referred to internal discontent at Mrs Foster's handling of the Brexit process.
The DUP leader was asked whether her leadership was in question on a visit to a youth centre in Belfast earlier - but she said "stories on leadership come up from time to time, and this is one of those times"
She also said we'll just deal with it now and move on - because there's bigger issues to look at including the covid-19 pandemic and listening to the concerns of working-class communities.
