Is George Osborne a qualified journalist, when did he become Evening Standard editor and what are his other 8 jobs?
The former Chancellor is standing down as an MP ahead of the 2017 General Election to focus on his new role
GEORGE Osborne has been editor of the Evening Standard since May, and he's just added another role to his already-packed portfolio.
Here's what you need to know about 9-job George.
Is George Osborne a qualified journalist?
Since the London paper's owner Evgeny Lebedev announced the appointment on Twitter eyebrows had been raised over Osborne's experience in journalism, potential conflicts of interest and the number of other roles he occupies.
The former Chancellor has already run a number of front pages slamming Prime Minister Theresa May - who sacked him from his job as Chancellor.
According to reports, Osborne wanted to pursue a career in journalism after he graduated from Oxford, getting a 2.1 in Modern History.
In 1993, he was shortlisted for a place on the Times trainee scheme - but didn't get one.
He was later interviewed for a job on The Economist - but was rejected.
He went on work as a freelance journalist on The Telegraph's Peterborough diary, a political gossip column.
In 1994, when he was just 23, Osborne was appointed head of the political section of the Conservative Research Department and has worked in politics ever since, the reported.
Osborne, now 45, was elected as MP for Tatton, Cheshire, in 2001 and was appointed shadow Chancellor in 2005.
Why was Osborne made editor of the Evening Standard?
Announcing the news on Twitter, Standard owner Lebedev wrote: "I am proud to have an editor of such substance, who reinforces The Standard's standing and influence in London and whose political viewpoint – socially liberal and economically pragmatic – closely matches that of many of our readers.
"George is London through and through and I am confident he is the right person to build on the fantastic legacy of Sarah Sands."
In a statement, Osborne said: "I look forward to working with, learning from and leading this team of dedicated professionals.
"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."
The ex-Chancellor has since defended his controversial editorship of the London Evening Standard.
He said his new role – on top of his FIVE other jobs – would help him to bring “different experience” to matters of Parliament.
In an open letter, Osborne wrote: "Now I have left Downing Street I want to continue to take part in the debate about the future direction of our country.
"No longer being Chancellor gives me time to do that in other ways – yes, in the Chamber of the House of Commons; but also as the editor of a major newspaper."
He added: "There is a long tradition of politics and journalism mixing.
"One of the greatest newspaper editors ever, CP Scott, combined editing the Manchester Guardian with being an MP."
It has since emerged that Osborne told people he wants Theresa May "chopped up in bags in my freezer".
That is according to an explosive profile of the former Chancellor, which quotes a staff member at the Evening Standard.
He has repeatedly attacked Mrs May in the recent months in the paper – accusing her of being a “dead woman walking” after her disastrous election result.
Mr Osborne also branded her pledge to cut net migration to below 100,000 as "economically illiterate", despite backing it when he was in David Cameron’s government.
The newspaper under his editorship has continued to feature strong political, investigative and campaigning journalism.
When did he start as Evening Standard editor?
George Osborne walked into the Evening Standard offices on Tuesday May 2, taking up the new role as editor.
In an early morning tweet, he wrote: "Excited about first day in new job @EveningStandard. Without fear or favour we'll provide the facts & analysis - and entertain along the way".
Last week, he had shared a link to a about Sarah Sands, his predecessor, writing she was a "hard act to follow".
What did he tell his constituency?
In a letter to Conservatives in his constituency of Tatton, the former Chancellor said he is leaving Westminster "for now" – but vowed to stay active on issues he is passionate about.
In the letter, he thanked the locals, saying they had "achieved a lot together".
But while saying he was happy with the work he had done, he said he wanted a new challenge and was therefore taking up the role as editor.
He wrote: "I will go on fighting for that Britain I love from the editor's chair of a great newspaper.
"It's still too early to be writing my memoirs."
What are George Osborne's other jobs?
Details of all the roles George Osborne is currently undertaking:
- Speaker, Washington Speaker’s Bureau, £628,000 (as of March 6)
- Chairman, Northern Powerhouse Partnership, unpaid
- Advisor, Blackrock Investments, £650,000 a year
- Fellowship, McCain Institute, £120,000 a year stipend for travel and research
- Editor, Evening Standard, salary unknown
- Adviser to Exor, an Italian company which owns Juventus
- Chair of thinktank Northern Powerhouse Partnership
- Osborne has two roles at Stanford University in California
- He joined his brother’s Silicon Valley venture capital fund - 9Yards Capital - in mid-December
