From his time as a controversial journalist to his fall from the highest office in the country, Boris Johnson's career has always been full of drama.
The eyes of the world were all on 10 Downing Street on July 7 last year as Boris Johnson was forced to resign as UK Prime Minister after a series of scandals involving his finances and conduct during the pandemic. Following his tumultuous tenure marred by allegations, the disgraced PM has made several lucrative pursuits that maintain his name in the spotlight.
Recently, the former PM has completed an eye-watering deal to write a book about his time on Downing Street, and he could make over $1.2 million from the agreement. Thanks to his time as a journalist, Mr. Johnson, who is the author of 11 well-sold published books, is no stranger to making people pay attention to his words.
Here, we take a look at Boris Johnson's career timeline, his controversies, and his rise and fall from grace.
Early career
The foundation of Johnson’s adult life began when he attended Oxford University, majoring in classics at Balliol College. In 1986, he was elected as the president of the Oxford Union, before graduating in 1987 with other famous names such as David Cameron, Michael Gove and Jeremy Hunt.
Before entering politics, Johnson was known primarily as a journalist, having worked for a number of British newspapers. He began his career at The Times, where he worked as a graduate trainee but was dismissed after including a falsely attributed quote in an article, and then as a correspondent in Brussels, reporting on the activities of the European Union.
In 1989, he moved to The Daily Telegraph, where he worked as a political reporter and eventually rose to the position of assistant editor.
During his time at The Daily Telegraph, Johnson became known for his colourful and controversial writing style. He was particularly famous for his Eurosceptic columns on the European Union, which were often critical and frequently featured outlandish claims and exaggerations. Moreover, Johnson was also known for his controversial language, such as using 'tank-topped bumboys' to describe gay people. The claim was widely criticized and eventually debunked, but it cemented Johnson's reputation as a controversial figure.
In addition to his journalism career, Johnson has also worked as a television presenter. He hosted a number of programs for the BBC and Channel 4, including Have I Got News for You and The One Show. His appearances on these shows further boosted his public profile and helped to establish him as a popular media personality.
Controversial book
According to the Guardian, Johnson decided to quit journalism for politics as he felt guilty about 'abusing or attacking people' with his words. The former PM previously said:
'I was like a journalist for a long time, I still am really, I still write stuff. But when you’re a journalist, it’s a great, great job, it’s a great profession, but the trouble is that you sometimes find yourself always abusing people or attacking people.'
In fact, Boris Johnson has never stopped writing. Over the years, Johnson has published many best-selling books such as The Churchill Factor and The Dream of Rome. One of Boris Johnson's most well-known books is The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History, published in 2014. The book is a biography of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and examines how his leadership style and personality contributed to his success in leading Britain during World War II. Johnson, who has been compared to Churchill in the media, uses his own experiences in politics to draw parallels between himself and Churchill.
However, there are also controversial books, such as Seventy-Two Virgins, a political satire that earned Johnson negative reception and reputation as 'a heroic failure as a novelist.' A sexist, racist and fundamentally undiplomatic book, Seventy-Two Virgins is notable for its comedic tone and use of satire, which is typical of Boris Johnson's writing style. The novel pokes fun at the British political establishment, the media, and the state of modern British society. The characters are exaggerated and caricatured, and the plot is filled with improbable coincidences and absurd situations.
Despite its humorous tone, Seventy-Two Virgins also tackles serious issues such as terrorism, multiculturalism, and the role of the media in shaping public opinion. The book was published at a time when the UK was facing increased threats from terrorism and the aftermath of the Iraq War.
Read more:
⋙ Boris Johnson faces investigations for living rent-free in donor's £20m home
⋙ Boris Johnson agreed to step down as UK PM after mass ministerial resignation
⋙ Boris Johnson earns huge profit for upcoming book on his disastrous time as PM
