Boris Johnson’s secret Saudi pitch revealed in leaked files
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Boris Johnson’s letters and meetings with Saudi officials highlight how ex-leaders leverage political ties for private ventures despite watchdog limits.
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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrives for a meeting of the leaders of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a coalition of 10 states focused on security in northern Europe, in London, Tuesday, March 15, 2022 (Pool Photo via AP)
Leaked documents suggest Boris Johnson used political connections forged during his time as UK prime minister to promote a private consultancy venture with Saudi Arabia’s leadership, The Guardian revealed.
The files indicate that Johnson personally pitched the services of Better Earth, a little-known UK-based consultancy he co-chairs, to senior Saudi officials, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In a letter, Johnson described himself as a “fervent admirer of the vision you have for the kingdom,” offering the firm’s expertise on reducing carbon emissions.
The revelations, part of a cache of documents obtained by the US nonprofit Distributed Denial of Secrets and reviewed by The Guardian, raise questions about whether Johnson breached lobbying restrictions on former ministers.
The documents show Johnson attended meetings and sent letters to Saudi officials in 2024, despite watchdog rules prohibiting him from leveraging government contacts to secure business for two years after leaving office.
Pitch to the crown prince
Johnson’s approaches appear to have included a February 2024 lunch with Saudi Commerce Minister Majid al-Qasabi, whom he had hosted in Downing Street while in government. Following the meeting, Better Earth executives noted they had “taken all the advice Majid has given us,” with Johnson preparing follow-up letters to both Qasabi and Prince Mohammed.
In his draft letter to the crown prince, Johnson recalled a past encounter with Qasabi, humorously referring to him as a “friend” in “floral swimming trunks” during a seaside dive years earlier. Johnson emphasized his ongoing commitment to climate issues, citing his role in the COP26 summit, and said Better Earth could provide “practical solutions for developing green energy and reducing carbon.”
Private gain from public office
Better Earth was founded by Canadian mining financier Amir Adnani in late 2023, with Johnson joining shortly after. Documents suggest he was offered £120,000 annually and a 12.5% equity stake to serve as co-chair. The job offer was formalized just days after Johnson visited Riyadh in January 2024, where he gave a speech and attended an ambassadorial dinner.
When Johnson later sought approval from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba), he said only that he had been “approached with an offer to be part of this new venture.” He did not disclose that he had already signed an agreement and engaged Saudi contacts.
Acoba approved the role in April 2024 with conditions explicitly barring Johnson from lobbying foreign governments he had engaged with as prime minister. By that point, the leaked files suggest, Johnson had already courted Saudi officials on Better Earth’s behalf.
Saudi access through elite networks
In June 2024, Johnson is reported to have met Qasabi again at 5 Hertford Street, an exclusive Mayfair club owned by Brexit-backer Robin Birley. Attendees included Adnani and two former Conservative ministers, Chris Skidmore and Nigel Adams, both shareholders in Better Earth.
Rights groups have long condemned Saudi Arabia’s human rights record. As prime minister and foreign secretary, Johnson had extensive dealings with Riyadh, including WhatsApp exchanges and an official trip in 2022 where he met the crown prince.
