Osborne faces calls to quit as MP over shock new editorship
PRESSURE is mounting on George Osborne to quit as an MP after he was unveiled as the new editor of the London Evening Standard yesterday.
The former chancellor, who was sacked by Theresa May after his Project Fear campaign in the EU referendum backfired, has added the four-day-a-week job to a growing list of outside interests.
Mr Osborne was turned down for a job on a national paper’s trainee scheme more than 20 years ago and tried to be a freelance journalist before working for the Tories.
While the Standard has not disclosed his salary, Mr Osborne has cashed in on his former status as one of the most senior government ministers with consultancies worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.
But while his constituency party in Tatton in Cheshire stood by him, calls were made for him to quit as an MP.
Ukip’s media spokesman Patrick O’Flynn MEP, a former political editor of the Daily Express who quit journalism to pursue a career in politics, said: “George Osborne is a curious appointment having almost no journalistic experience, having failed as a chancellor and bringing the Treasury into disrepute with his Project Fear campaign during the referendum.
“But the one thing he is clearly good at is networking. I hope his constituents in Tatton feel their interests will remain in the forefront of his mind.”
Angus Reilly, chairman of Tatton constituency Labour Party, said: “This has only proven what the people of Tatton have known all along.
“George Osborne’s focus is not on the people of Tatton. He should not continue as a Member of Parliament.”
Meanwhile former Labour leader
GEORGE’S jObS
MP for Tatton — £74,000pa Senior advisor to investment manager Blackrock — £650,000pa Public speaker for Washington Speaker Bureau — £786,450 (2016) Kissinger Fellow for the McCain Institute — £120,000 Chairman of the Northern Powerhouse Project — pro bono Editor of the Evening Standard — salary unknown Ed Miliband joked that he was about to be appointed editor of Heat magazine while Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said he would apply to edit Viz.
Political broadcaster Andrew Neil, a former editor of The Sunday Times, said: “My threshold for being shocked just rose a little more. George Osborne new editor of Evening Standard and it’s not even fake news.
“When made editor of The Sunday Times I was criticised because I hadn’t been an editor. Mr Osborne hasn’t even been a journalist.”
Mr Osborne described his new role as an “exciting and challenging job”, saying he was “thrilled to take it on”.
He said: “Growing up as a Londoner I’ve always known that the Evening Standard is an institution that plays a huge part in the life of the city.
“I am proud to be a Conservative MP but as editor and leader of a team of dedicated and independent journalists our only interest will be to give a voice to all Londoners.”