By Ben Kerrigan-
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced his new role as a presenter and commentator on the controversial broadcaster GB News.
This development has the potential to stir up considerable debate, especially in light of recent impartiality rule breaches by the channel.
Mr. Johnson(pictured) expressed his excitement about joining GB News in a video posted on social media, stating, “I am very much looking forward to joining shortly and offering my frank opinions on world affairs. I will be talking about the immense opportunities for Global Britain, as well as the challenges, and why our best days are yet to come.”
GB News, known for its right-leaning editorial stance, has faced scrutiny from regulators in recent months.
Just last month, the channel was found to have breached impartiality rules by the UK regulator Ofcom, relating to an interview between Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and fellow Conservative MPs Esther McVey and Philip Davies.
In order to ensure transparency and adherence to government rules, Mr. Johnson sought advice from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) before accepting the GB News offer.
The committee, while not raising any particular concerns, reminded the former prime minister of his responsibility to manage the propriety of his work with GB News.
This includes refraining from disclosing privileged information from his time in ministerial office and not personally involving himself in lobbying the UK government or its arm’s length bodies on behalf of GB News for two years since his last day in office.
Despite these conditions, Mr. Johnson remains steadfast in his commitment to provide his “unvarnished views on everything from Russia, China, the war in Ukraine, and how we meet all of those challenges, to the huge opportunities that lie ahead for us.”
Since leaving office, Boris Johnson has been diversifying his portfolio, including securing a weekly column in the Daily Mail, reportedly earning him a substantial six-figure annual income.
However, his previous dealings with ACOBA have not been without controversy, as the watchdog found him guilty of a “clear breach” of rules regarding jobs outside of parliament when he informed them of his new column just half an hour before it was publicly announced.
Mr. Johnson’s entry into GB News comes on the heels of recent turmoil within the broadcaster.
High-profile contributor Laurence Fox was terminated for comments made about journalist Ava Evans, and Calvin Robinson also faced the axe during the fallout. Meanwhile, Dan Wootton remains suspended, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the channel.
Boris Johnson’s new role at GB News is likely to spark significant discussion and scrutiny in the political and media landscapes, as the former prime minister takes on a role that bridges the gap between politics and journalism.