By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor
Esther McVey has just landed a £32k a year job (£530 a day) pad for by the taxpayer, only six months after being kicked out as an MP.
The former jobs minister will now be chair of the British Transport Police Authority AND hold down a part time role with a lobbying company.
Her new role is Chair of the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) and was given the role by former colleague Transport Minister Patrick McLaughlin. The job requires her to work just 60 days a year. She will juggle that job with an ‘advisory role’ at lobbyists Hume Brophy.
Hume Brophy’s client list has included British American Tobacco and QinetiQ, a weapons research firm that was spun off from the Ministry of Defence in 2001.
As an ex-minister she is banned from directly lobbying the Government. However, she is free to take an “advisory role,” there.
As chair of the BTPA, McVey will oversee transport security and tackling sexual violence across the rail network. She got a four-year deal through an independent recruitment process.
On her appointment to the BTPA, Ms McVey said: “With more and more people using the railways, the role of the British Transport Police in allowing people to travel safely is more important than ever.
“I am delighted to have been appointed chair of the police authority and am honoured to be taking up this role.”
Mr McLoughlin said: “The security of the travelling public has never been more important and Esther McVey will bring considerable skills to this vital task.
“Although Britain has one of the safest railways in Europe we face increasing risks that mean there can be no room for complacency.
“The British Transport Police do a fantastic job keeping passengers safe and secure and I am confident that under Esther’s guidance that record can continue.”