House Speaker Robert DeLeo today summoned his Democratic members back to Beacon Hill for a caucus tomorrow amidst speculation that he intends to reshuffle his leadership team and demote House Majority Whip Charley Murphy.

DeLeo informed the House’s Democratic members of the caucus through an email that did not specify the reason for calling them back. A spokesman for DeLeo morning declined to comment when asked if DeLeo intends to recommend Murphy’s demotion to the full caucus, or whether he had other leadership changes in mind before the House returns to formal sessions in January.

After DeLeo swapped Murphy, a Burlington Democrat, out of his Ways and Means chairmanship and into the position of House majority whip last January, Murphy has met recently with members of the House and let them know he aspires to be speaker someday, according to members of the House. He said he has not asked a single lawmaker to commit their vote to him, and members who have met with Murphy attest to that account. The Burlington Democrat also denies fostering rumors that state and federal investigations into patronage at the state Probation Department could land close to home in the House, and undermine DeLeo’s leadership.

Murphy, in a letter to House members following the publication of reports that DeLeo might seek his ouster, called it DeLeo’s “prerogative” if he chooses to take steps to remove him from House leadership, and said if that happens he looks forward to making his case in front of the Democratic caucus to remain.

Murphy could not immediately be reached for comment.

Before rising to his post, DeLeo and former House Majority Leader John Rogers engaged in a months-long battle behind the scenes to succeed former Speaker Salvatore DiMasi.