Boris Johnson is facing allegations that he broke ethics rules by lobbying a senior Abu Dhabi official for a private business venture that could have earned him millions. Leaked documents suggest the former prime minister sought to use his government contacts to secure funding from the United Arab Emirates' sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala.
The files, obtained by the transparency group Distributed Denial of Secrets and seen by the Guardian, indicate that Johnson was hired as a 'principal adviser' for Bia Advisory, a little-known climate finance firm. The company aimed to persuade Mubadala to invest €1bn and provide a €10m grant, with Johnson set to receive a 24% stake in the venture.
Johnson's involvement included a trip to Abu Dhabi in April 2024, where he met with Khaldoon al-Mubarak, the head of Mubadala and chair of Manchester City. Johnson had hosted al-Mubarak at No 10 at least three times while prime minister. The meeting appears to contravene rules that prohibit former ministers from lobbying government contacts for business purposes.
The revelations have prompted calls from Labour and Liberal Democrat politicians for an investigation into Johnson's use of public funds. Johnson's office receives £115,000 annually under the Public Duty Costs Allowance, which is meant for official duties, not commercial activities. Johnson dismissed the allegations as 'rubbish', but did not respond to specific questions about Bia Advisory.
The leaked documents also show that Johnson's aide, Shelley Williams-Walker, who worked in his Downing Street operation, would receive a 20% stake in the company. The other founders include a vape lobbyist and a former Vote Leave campaigner. The venture's pitch was described as audacious, given the firm's lack of experience in managing large sums.
