From Downing Street to Deals: Johnson's Lucrative 'Revolving Door'

A vast trove of leaked documents, dubbed the "Boris Files," has revealed how former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has allegedly leveraged his past political contacts and influence for significant personal financial gain since leaving Downing Street in September 2022. The leak, consisting of over 1,800 files, raises serious questions about whether Johnson has breached the "revolving door" ethics and lobbying rules that govern former ministers.

The documents, which include emails, invoices, and business contracts, shine a spotlight on Johnson's commercial endeavors. A key revelation is the former PM's use of a taxpayer-funded allowance, the Public Duty Costs Allowance (PDCA), to support the operations of his private office, which appears to be central to his lucrative post-political career. The leaked files suggest Johnson has been paid approximately £5.1 million for 34 speeches between October 2022 and May 2024, with each engagement earning him hundreds of thousands of pounds plus expenses for first-class flights and luxury accommodations.

The "Boris Files" also detail a contract with an investment firm, where an invoice for £240,000 was sent to the firm after a meeting with Venezuelan authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro. Furthermore, the cache of documents suggests Johnson approached senior Saudi officials he met while in office to pitch the services of a consultancy firm, even writing a flattering letter to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The Shadow of Past Controversies and an Uncertain Political Future-These latest revelations add to a long list of controversies that have defined Boris Johnson's political career. His premiership was mired in scandal, including the "Partygate" affair, where multiple gatherings were held at Downing Street during COVID-19 lockdowns. The scandal led to a police fine, making him the first sitting Prime Minister to be sanctioned for breaking the law. He also faced scrutiny over the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat and the handling of the Chris Pincher affair, which ultimately triggered a wave of resignations that forced him from office.

The ongoing ethics concerns raised by the "Boris Files" further complicate his already turbulent political standing. While some of his most loyal supporters, like former minister Nadine Dorries, have defected to Reform UK, the leader of that party, Nigel Farage, has publicly stated that Johnson would not be welcome. Farage and other Reform figures have criticized Johnson for what they call the "Boris wave," referring to a post-Brexit surge in legal immigration that they say betrayed voters.

With the Conservative Party struggling in the polls and Reform UK gaining momentum, Johnson's political future remains uncertain. He is no longer an MP, and his role seems to be as a controversial figure on the sidelines, commanding a high price for speeches and facing constant questions about his post-political activities rather than a key player in the UK's future political landscape. The new revelations could diminish any hopes of a political comeback, as the focus shifts to his commercial interests and the ethical implications of his actions since leaving office.