Former chancellor George Osborne has been appointed editor of the London Evening Standard, it has been announced.
The shock move, which will see Mr Osborne stay on as an MP, is likely to raise eyebrows given the number of outside jobs he has taken since being sacked by Theresa May.
There are also likely to be questions over conflicts of interest when he begins the role in the middle of May.
The former frontbencher will succeed Sarah Sands, who is joining the BBC to become the editor of Radio 4's Today programme.
Mr Osborne will edit the paper an average of four days each week, and it is understood he applied for the position when it became available.
The role will satisfy a long-held ambition for Mr Osborne, who was rejected by The Times and The Economist when he tried to break into journalism after graduating from university.
A source at the Standard told the Press Association that staff were "shocked and stunned" by the announcement.
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