Former chancellor sets a new Standard
FORMER chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has been appointed editor of the London Evening Standard.
He will take up his role in May, editing the newspaper four days a week, but will remain as Conservative MP for Tatton, in Cheshire.
Mr Osborne, who was sacked as chancellor by incoming Prime Minister Theresa May last year, replaces current editor Sarah Sands, who is leaving the Standard after five years at the helm to join the BBC.
He described his new role as an “exciting and challenging job”, saying he was “thrilled to take it on”.
Mr Osborne 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 and its people.
“Now it is a great honour that I can play a part as leader of the editorial team making the Evening Standard the definitive voice of the world’s most exciting 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.”
His new job comes on top of a £650,000-a-year post working for a US asset management fund, announced last week.
The Standard said Mr Osborne’s new role would allow him to edit the paper but give him time to work in Parliament in the afternoon after the paper has gone to print.