Evening Standard Editor George Osborne is rightfully popular with recruitment specialists but few people are aware of his first job as famous, mysterious street artist Banksy.
The Rochdale Herald’s crime correspondent spoke to Mr Osborne earlier today in his conservatory in an exclusive.
“I am Banksy.” George smiles. He looks sentimentally across his grounds.
“Well I was Banksy. It was my first job. I’ve had many jobs since then. Now, I’m trying to have all my jobs at once.”
But why isn’t he still Banksy?
“Banksy is not a single man or woman. Banksy is an element. He’s a bit like Batman. A social hero, almost a vigilante, who only works at night.”
But why give up such a powerful role?
“When I was offered the position of Chancellor of the Exchequer I couldn’t see how I could be a member for parliament and spend my days designing insightful street art and hold constituency surgeries at the same time.
That’s too many plates to spin even for me. Something had to give. It was time. Either that or risk looking like an imitation of someone who knows what they’re doing.”
Did you know what you were doing as Chancellor?
“Did I need to? Miliband was happy to carry the can. I could get on with just being me. Sound economic theory didn’t really come into that.”
So who is Banksy now?
“I shouldn’t say. I’ll get into trouble. Let’s just say Banksy is like the Dread Pirate Roberts.”
Go on.
“You really want to know? It’ll ruin the mystery.”
We insist.
“Okay, but don’t print it.”
We promise.
“It’s currently Iain Duncan Smith.”