George Osborne sets new career Standard as he moves to edit paper

George Osborne will officially swap the world of politics for media as he walks into the Evening Standard offices for his first day as editor.

The former chancellor made the shock announcement that he would be moving to head up the London paper in March, saying he was "thrilled to take it on".

He was widely criticised for taking on a demanding editing job while still sitting as the MP for Tatton, Cheshire, but after Prime Minister Theresa May announced the June 8 snap General Election, Mr Osborne announced he was stepping down.

The incoming editor has insisted he intends to continue to play an active role in public life, telling his constituents in a letter published in the Standard: "I will go on fighting for that Britain I love from the editor's chair of a great newspaper."

Mr Osborne, who has held the Cheshire seat since 2001, added that he was leaving Parliament "for now" - leaving open the possibility of a future political comeback.

Since he was removed from office by Mrs May last year, Mr Osborne has declared almost £1 million in speaking fees in the Register of Members' Interests.

In addition he is set to earn £650,000-a-year working one day a week as an adviser to US investment giant Blackrock, while receiving £120,000 as a fellow at the McCain Institute in Washington DC.

His salary at the Standard has not been disclosed.

Former minister Esther McVey, who represented the Conservatives in Wirral West from 2010 until 2015, is due to run for Mr Osborne's seat in the forthcoming election after being selected as the Tory candidate.

Mr Osborne said on Twitter: "Huge congratulations to @EstherMcVey1, new Tatton PPC. A real star. I couldn't have a better successor. A one-woman Northern Powerhouse."