MPS BLAST OSBORNE OVER NEW EDITOR ROLE
FORMER chancellor George Osborne has been sharply criticised by MPs for accepting the post of editor of the London Evening Standard without first clearing it with the official watchdog.
The Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee said he had set an “unhelpful example” in taking the job without waiting for the advice of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments ( Acoba), which vets jobs taken by ex- ministers and senior officials.
In their report the committee said Acoba had become a “toothless regulator” and that the system would remain open to “similar abuses” in future.
The committee said: “We disapprove of the announcement of Mr Osborne’s appointment as editor of the Evening Standard without waiting for Acoba’s advice.
“This sets an unhelpful example to others in public life who may be tempted to do the same.”
The committee also highlighted his appointment as a part- time adviser to the US investment giant BlackRock, working one day a week for £ 650,000 a year.