Ex-UK PM Boris Johnson lobbied Saudi officials 'for private gain', leaks show

Former UK prime minister Boris Johnson lobbied senior Saudi officials, including the country's crown prince, on behalf of a private consultancy firm in 2024, according to leaked documents obtained by Distributed Denial of Secrets (DDOS), a whistleblower site that archives leaks.

The revelations raise questions about whether Johnson exploited contacts made during his time in office for private gain, as well as concerns regarding lobbying restrictions placed on former government ministers.

The documents, seen by The Guardian and other outlets, show that Johnson approached Saudi officials on behalf of Better Earth - an energy consulting firm which Johnson co-chairs with Canadian mining financier Amir Adnani. Campaigners raised concerns last year over Johnson's relationship with the Canadian-Iranian businessman, demanding transparency over the timeline and nature of their ties.

On behalf of Better Earth, Johnson pitched services to the Saudi state, including to officials he had previously met while in office, the files indicate.

The leaks also show Johnson addressing de facto Saudi ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a letter, in which Johnson describes himself as a "fervent admirer of the vision you have for the [Saudi] kingdom".

"I would very much like to explore whether [Better Earth] could be useful to you and the kingdom of Saudi Arabia in achieving your ambitions – because I believe it certainly could," the 2024 letter reads.

Johnson had met with Prince Mohammed while in office, and was believed to be in close contact with the royal via WhatsApp.

According to The Guardian, Johnson signed his offer of employment with Better Earth in January last year, a day after he visited the Saudi capital.

The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA), which is responsible for the government's Business Administration Rules, approved Johnson's new role in April 2024, on condition that the former prime minister “should not become personally involved in lobbying contacts you developed during your time in office in other governments” for two years after leaving office.

According to reports, before the ACOBA approval, Johnson had already met with Saudi Arabia's Minister of Commerce, Majid al-Qasabi, whom he had also met while in office.

After meeting al-Qasabi last year, Johnson was set to write a letter to Prince Mohammed referencing his relationship with al-Qasabi, according to the leak. In the draft, Johnson recalls meeting the minister years earlier when he was "wearing a pair of floral swimming trunks".

“I now chair a company that offers practical solutions for developing green energy and reducing carbon,” the draft letter continues, adding that a "more detailed note" would be sent to al-Qasabi. "But it would of course be a great honour to come to see you and to explain in person."

In other leaked files, Johnson is alleged to have received more than £200,000 following a meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The revelations have prompted calls for Johnson to be stripped of the £115,000 allowance given to former prime ministers.

"These allegations are extremely shocking," Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said. "This is yet another reminder of how deep the rot in the Conservative Party goes – it is riddled by sleaze and scandal."