The Covid-19 Inquiry has delivered a blistering verdict on Boris Johnson's handling of the pandemic, branding government inaction as "inexcusable" and directly linking delayed restrictions to thousands of unnecessary deaths. This damning assessment stands in stark contrast to the life Johnson has built since dramatically exiting frontline politics.
From Downing Street to Lucrative Deals
Johnson's political downfall was sealed by the Partygate scandal, leading to his resignation as an MP in June 2023. Despite this, he has secured a comfortable financial cushion. He is entitled to claim the Public Duty Cost Allowance of up to £115,000 per year, on top of the £18,860 ministerial severance pay he received upon leaving office.
Before stepping down as an MP, he had already registered earnings exceeding £5 million from lucrative speaking engagements and a substantial £510,000 advance for his memoir. His financial prospects remain strong, with future MP and ministerial pensions awaiting him.
A New Chapter: Books, Media, and Family Life
Since leaving Westminster, Johnson has focused on several personal and professional ventures. In October, he released his memoir, "Unleashed," a work that attempted to rehabilitate his image but controversially rowed back on his Partygate apology. The book sold approximately 42,000 copies in its first week, a figure notably lower than Tony Blair's memoir. In a surprising revelation, Johnson admitted to using AI like ChatGPT to assist with his writing, praising the technology for its encouraging feedback.
His media career has also expanded, though not without controversy. He signed a £1 million deal to become a columnist for the Daily Mail, a move for which he was found to have breached business appointment rules. A planned role at GB News was announced with fanfare in November 2023, but ten months later, he had yet to appear on the channel, with reports suggesting he had cold feet.
On the family front, Johnson and his wife Carrie have welcomed two more children, Frank and Poppy, bringing their total to four young children together. The family has been frequently spotted on lavish holidays to destinations including Greece, Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Slovenia, as well as luxury UK staycations.
The Lighter Side: Ostriches and Odd Vlogs
Johnson's post-political life has not been without its bizarre moments. A family trip to a Texas wildlife park resulted in a viral video where the former PM was bit on the hand by an ostrich, an incident his wife Carrie shared online. He has also cultivated a peculiar social media presence, posting vlog-style videos from the back of cars and marking national events, a far cry from his ill-fated attempt to join TikTok while in office.
As the Covid Inquiry's findings cast a long shadow over his legacy, Boris Johnson's current existence is a world away from the grim realities of the pandemic, defined instead by media ventures, family holidays, and a six-figure taxpayer-funded allowance.
