Boris Johnson Considered for Telegraph Role

Sky News has reported that Boris Johnson has engaged in preliminary discussions with Nadhim Zahawi regarding a potential position with the Telegraph newspaper, should Zahawi's bid for the publication prove successful. Zahawi has floated the idea of Johnson taking on the role of global editor-in-chief to potential investors. Johnson, who currently writes for The Daily Mail, has a history with the Telegraph, having served as both a correspondent and a columnist. Zahawi, the former chancellor, is actively seeking financial backing from various billionaires for his bid to acquire the Telegraph and The Spectator, both of which are currently on the market following a blocked takeover by an Abu Dhabi state-backed entity. Reports indicate that Zahawi's offer is now "fully financed," although details about his investors and the likelihood of a successful bid remain unclear. As the auction process progresses, RedBird IMI, which oversees the bidding, is narrowing down the list of interested parties. Sir Paul Marshall has emerged as the frontrunner for The Spectator, while National World, led by David Montgomery, continues to participate in the bidding. The Telegraph's previous owner, Lord Rothermere, withdrew from the process due to competition concerns, leaving the future of the publication uncertain. The bidding landscape is further complicated by the financial troubles faced by the Telegraph's former owners, with robust interest reported at prices exceeding those previously offered by other bidders.