By Frank Offiong-
Leaked documents expose former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s troubling post-Downing Street ventures. The files reveal a pursuit of profit that appears to have repeatedly broken ethics rules. Johnson seemingly tried to trade on relationships formed during his time as the country’s leader. These documents, obtained by Distributed Denial of Secrets, shed new light on his time in office and the commercial activities that followed.
Boris Johnson and Mohammed bin Salman before a meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in March 2022. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/AP
The revelations about Boris Johnson’s ethics could prove most difficult for the former Prime Minister. They tally with an apparent disdain for the ethical norms of public life. Critics who have worked with him observed this at close quarters. Max Hastings, his editor at the Daily Telegraph in the 1980s, alleged Johnson “cares for no interest save his own fame and gratification.”
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His supporters might point out that Johnson is not the first former prime minister to be criticised. Other former PMs have also sought to profit in the Gulf. Tony Blair, for example, once called Prince Mohammed “the hope of the region.” The Tony Blair Institute has since received Saudi funding. David Cameron also maintained his Saudi relationships after leaving office.
Cash from Contacts: The Question of Boris Johnson’s Ethics
Boris Johnson’s international dash for cash raises many questions. One privileged interaction, logged on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, shows Johnson “alone texting MBS.” This text exchange with Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman became a key relationship Johnson later tried to exploit. A draft letter from March 2024 shows Johnson writing to the crown prince. The letter, on his taxpayer-subsidised private office letterhead, states, “I remain a fervent admirer of the vision you have for the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” It adds that he would like to explore a business venture with the crown prince. The killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a crime Johnson called “unforgivable,” makes this admiration particularly complex.
The leaked files also show Johnson’s work with a Canadian mining investor’s company, Better Earth. His part-time role would be worth £120,000 per year, plus an initial 12.5% stake. It was for this company that Johnson penned his overtures to the Saudi crown prince. He also tried to secure business from a senior figure in the Gulf he knew from Downing Street, Khaldoon al-Mubarak, who chairs Manchester City. The files indicate Johnson and an aide were offered stakes potentially worth millions in a “climate finance solutions” venture.
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The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) monitors the post-government careers of ex-ministers. Acoba’s rules prevent former ministers from lobbying contacts they developed in office for two years. The leaked documents suggest Johnson may have broken this rule. He sought Acoba clearance for his role at Better Earth, but seemingly did not disclose the Saudi angle.
Johnson also appears to have contradicted himself regarding his meeting with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. He had once called Maduro the “dictator of an evil regime.” Yet, documents in the leaked files show an invoice from Johnson’s office to the hedge fund that arranged the meeting for £240,000. This directly conflicts with Johnson’s statement to Acoba that the meeting was unpaid.
This situation highlights a public trust issue. Sue Hawley of Spotlight on Corruption said, “If you have people at the top of government displaying the sense that they don’t have to live by the rules ordinary people have to live by, that percolates down.”
You can read the original article that broke this story on The Guardian website.
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