Mitt Romney, the outgoing governor of Massachusetts, appears to be on the verge of confirming what many political observers have long speculated: he intends to seek the Republican party’s presidential nomination in 2008.

Mr Romney – who first drew national attention when he took over leadership of the struggling 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games – convened a meeting of his top advisers and leading supporters at the weekend to discuss the potential launch of his White House bid. According to an aide to his Commonwealth Political Action Committee, the gathering was “to thank those who have been supporters” over the past year.