Boris Johnson to resume Telegraph column

by Darren Davidson Brand Republic 15-May-08, 15:30

LONDON - Despite axing free mayoral newspaper the Londoner, newly elected London Mayor Boris Johnson will continue his career in journalism with the return of his weekly column in the Daily Telegraph.

Johnson's column was suspended in January so that he could concentrate on his mayoral campaign, but he will return to the Daily Telegraph in the summer.

He is expected to earn about £250,000 a year for his weekly column, which he will write during the weekend for publication on Monday or Tuesday.

The new mayor will donate £25,000 from his Telegraph fee to a "Boris bursary" for students of journalism at the London College of Communications.

Johnson will also make a similar donation to a charity teaching classics to state school children in London so they have a better chance of access to the kind of education available to private school children. And the former Spectator editor is also expected to write for local papers in London, free of charge.

Earlier this week, Johnson announced he was axing the Londoner, which was launched by his predecessor Ken Livingstone. The move will save £2.9m, which will be used to plant 10,000 new trees across London.