BORIS Johnson has been approached about taking up a new role as global editor-in-chief at The Telegraph, reports suggest.
According to Sky News, the former prime minister has held talks with ex-Tory MP and chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, who is plotting a bid to buy the newspaper.
A source close to Johnson confirmed the idea was “floating around” but insisted “no formal or substantial discussions” had taken place so far.
It comes after Zahawi approached several billionaires looking for their support to buy both The Telegraph and The Spectator after a takeover from a state-backed, Abu Dhabi-based group was blocked by the UK Government.
A joint venture between US firm RedBird, Capital and Abu Dhabi’s International Media Investments agreed to buy the newspaper from previous owners the Barclay family back in November in a deal worth £1.2 billion.
However, the then Conservative government said it would bring forward legislation to block such state-backed deals due to concerns about foreign states exerting influence over a national newspaper.
RedBird is currently overseeing the formal auction process, with reports suggesting that Zahawi’s bid is “fully financed”.
If the bid is successful and Johnson accepts a position it would see him reunited with Zahawi, who once served as a minister in his government.
However, just 48 hours after being promoted to Chancellor of the Exchequer by Johnson following the resignation of Rishi Sunak, Zahawi called for him to resign as prime minister over his handling of sexual harassment allegations against Tory MP Chris Pincher.
