Because of what he knew then, he's got a new job now

Today's Times and a number of other newspapers report that former Tory leader Michael Howard has landed a top job as "Chairman of the European arm of a corporate espionage company set up by former agents of the CIA, MI5 and Soviet Intelligence."  Mr Howard, who recently announced his intention to stop being an MP at the next General Election, told The Times:

“A great deal of my experience and knowledge is relevent (sic) to what they do. There’s a growing need for intelligence gathering in this age of globalisation, with people having to deal with parts of the world which they may not be familiar with."

Mr Howard is expected to earn a six-figure sum and may announce further directorships in the coming fortnight.

Comments

[Andrew Woodman]

Everyone has to eat. Good luck to him.

[Mark Fulford]

I imagine that Diligence want to project an image of credibility and respectability. Clearly that’s what Michael Howard has got, but I wonder whether the same could be said of Tony Blair. Would you trust him to head-up an intelligence outfit, or is his name in that field somewhat tainted?

[Daniel Vince-Archer]

'Corporate espionage'? Sounds a bit dubious to me.

[Old Hack]

A relation's girlfriend worked for Diligence. They play hardball. She resigned when her career progression reached the stage of covert field work as it was not her scene and she was not comfortable with some of the ethics, or targetting organisations such NGOs who were going head to head with Oil Cos etc.

On the other hand any chance of using them to screen applicants for the Candidates list?

[Peter Obtain]

Perhaps the Conservatives can use his company before supporting another war based on bogus intelligence.

[Richard Weatherill]

"Something of the night" indeed!

[Anon]

No wonder Howard supported ID cards as Tory leader. As Teresa Gorman said, "there's something of the knife about him".