Boris Johnson now - six-figure allowance, GB news job and another rule breach
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson had a meteoric rise to power - but his reputation quickly crumbled.
Tonight, a new four-part series titled The Rise and Fall of Boris Johnson airs on Channel 4 and documents the political career of the former PM. The 59-year-old was first elected in 2001 and was PM from July 2019 until September 2022 - during which time he was involved in many scandals and controversies.
In the three years Johnson resided in No10, the UK quit the EU, suffered as a result of Covid rules and spearheaded Western support for Ukraine. But what has the ex-Downing Street incumbent been up to since? Here, we take a look at Johnson's life away from Downing Street...
In June 2023, Johnson announced he had quit his job as an MP with immediate effect, following a probe into whether he misled Parliament over Partygate - a political scandal that engulfed the Tories and heavily contributed to his downfall as PM. The disgraced politician decided to jump before he was pushed and released a bombshell resignation statement accusing his enemies of trying to 'drive him out'.
In December, the ex-Tory leader was grilled at the Covid Inquiry that looked into his pandemic failings and admitted the Government underestimated the danger posed by the virus in early 2020. Johnson described the Partygate scandal as a "travesty of the truth", but the Inquiry was shown a WhatsApp message with Johnson boasting that he would "get through" it and "come out on top".
Boris Johnson attacks Rishi Sunak's failure to send fighter jets to Ukraine
Six-figure allowance
While ex-prime ministers don't get a salary after leaving No10, they can claim an allowance. It is called the Public Duty Cost Allowance (PDCDA) and is worth up to £115,000 a year. As set out on the Cabinet Office website, the PDCA was introduced to assist former prime ministers still active in public life. The rule means that Johnson can claim the six-figure allowance.
As well as this, outgoing PMs are also able to claim ministerial severance pay of £18,860 when leaving office. Since he left his role as MP, Johnson no longer has to record his earnings. Before he stood down, he registered more than £5million since leaving No10, including a string of highly-paid speeches and a £510,000 advance to write his memoir. Meanwhile, he will be entitled to both an MP and ministerial pension eventually.
New media jobs
It was announced in November 2023 that the former Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP would be joining GB News, where he will share his "unvarnished views on everything from Russia and China to the war in Ukraine". The ex-PM said he would be providing "some great British television". He joins Conservative MPs Philip Davies, Lee Anderson, Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Esther McVey, who all present on the channel.
In June, he landed a new job as a columnist for the Daily Mail, just days after he quit as MP. Johnson was found to have committed a "clear and unambiguous" breach of rules by taking up the new role, as former ministers are not permitted to take up or announce new appointments until the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments has been able to provide advice - a process Johnson brazenly flouted.
Honourary degree
In September, Johnson flew to Ukraine to receive an honorary degree. The former PM was awarded Doctor Honoris Causa of the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, which translates to "for the sake of honour". He was a supporter of Kyiv during his time at No10 and was welcomed by the Mayor of Lviv, Andriy Sadovyi who described Johnson as "a great friend of Ukraine".
- The Rise and Fall of Boris Johnson airs on Channel 4 at 9pm tonight.
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