Julian Smith Archives - Page 9 of 12

MPs watch: Afghanistan, football freebies and food banks

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In August, parliament was in recess for the summer. However, MPs were recalled to the House of Commons due to the escalating situation in Afghanistan.

However, none of our district MPs contributed to the debate on August 18.

We asked our three Conservative MPs, Harrogate & Knaresborough’s Andrew Jones, Skipton and Ripon’s Julian Smith, and Selby and Ainsty’s Nigel Adams if they would like to highlight anything in particular that they have been doing this month, but we did not receive a response from any of them.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

Mr Jones posted twice on his MP’s website in August. One post saw Mr Jones call for people to help to reduce their carbon footprint after the publication of the Independent Panel on Climate Change report.
On August 14, Mr Jones updated his website to back a local bus service bid by North Yorkshire County Council of up to £20 million.
Mr Jones was branded a “hypocrite” over a post he made on his Community News website about food banks. He did not respond to requests for comment by the Stray Ferret.
Mr Jones’ Twitter account is for ‘retweets only’.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Skipton and Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

Mr Smith updated his website once in August. The post reflected on what he did in his constituency in July.
He tweeted six times in August. Among his social media posts were to congratulate Damian Hinds MP for being appointed security minister.
Mr Smith posted six times on his Facebook page. He encouraged 16 and 17 year olds to get their covid vaccine after becoming eligible.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural parts of Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:

A regular Twitter user, Mr Adams tweeted 12 times in August.
Among his tweets were support for the Paralympic Games and congratulating Indonesia on its independence day.
On August 23, Mr Adams visited an Afghanistan Crisis Centre set up by the Foreign Office. He said it was a “great to see all the fantastic work” the centre had done.
He tweeted on August 25 that he and the Foreign Office would continue to resolve the crisis in Myanmar and paid tribute to the Rohingya muslims who have lost their lives.
Mr Adams updated his website once in August. This was to publicise the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s consultation on priorities for fire and policing over the next four years.
According to MPs register of interests as of August 23, Mr Adams had received £6,000 worth of free hospitality tickets to England’s Euro 2020 games.

Ripon MP Julian Smith extends £3,000 an hour advisory role

Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon Julian Smith will be paid £3,000 an hour to advise a green energy company for another 12 months.

Mr Smith was first appointed to the advisory position at Ryze Hydrogen in August last year when it was announced he would be paid £60,000 for 20 hours work.

The MP’s register of interests reveals he will have the same arrangement with the company from August 1 until July 31 2022.

Ryze Hydrogen produces and distributes the low-carbon fuel hydrogen. Its chief executive Jo Bamford also owns Wrightbus, a Northern Irish bus manufacturer. Mr Bamford is also a board member of the family-owned JCB company.

As Mr Smith was the Northern Ireland secretary until February 2020, he was warned by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments about a “perceived conflict of interest” in taking on the role.

‘Very lucrative remuneration’

Mr Smith has been an MP since 2010 and is paid £81,932 a year for the position.

Alongside his MP’s salary, he earns an additional £130,000 for being an external advisor to three private companies.

Brian McDaid, who stood for the Labour Party against Mr Smith in Skipton and Ripon in 2019, previously told the Stray Ferret that the MP should focus more on his constituents.

He said:

“During these times of austerity and the impact of the pandemic on us all, Mr Smith must be struggling on his MP’s salary to have to seek additional work with very lucrative remuneration.

“His constituents deserve so much better, especially during these very difficult and uncertain times.”

Mr Smith’s three jobs

Ryze Hydrogen: £60,000 for 12 months. He is expected to work 20 hours.

In August last year, Mr Smith took an advisory role with Ryze Hydrogen. Its chief executive Jo Bamford also owns Wrightbus, a Northern Ireland bus production company that has a relationship with the Northern Ireland Office in government.

Simply Blue Management: £2,000 a month for one or two hours a month over 12 months.

In January this year, Mr Smith began advising Cork-based firm Simply Blue Management. Its website describes itself as ‘the leading early stage developer of sustainable and transformative marine projects’.

MJM Marine: £60,000 for 12 months. He is expected to work 30 to 40 hours.

From March 2020, Mr Smith began advising MJM Marine on ‘business development’. The company calls itself a ‘leading international specialist in cruise ship refurbishment’. It’s based in County Down, Northern Ireland.

The Stray Ferret contacted both Julian Smith and Ryze Hydrogen about the appointment but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

MPs watch: Football, Yorkshire Show and covid vaccines

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In July, the remaining covid restrictions were lifted, a historic decision was made to overhaul local government across North Yorkshire and England reached their first major football tournament final in 55 years.

Parliament went into recess on July 22.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

On July 5, Mr Jones voted for the Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill on its third reading in the House of Commons. The bill has been criticised for giving more powers to police over protests.
Voted to make covid vaccines mandatory for staff working in care homes.
On July 15, Mr Jones called for a debate on the future of the events industry in the House of Commons.
On Friday, he was quoted as “welcoming” new funding for flood defences in Boroughbridge.
Mr Jones updated his website once in July. He visited the CityFibre works in Knaresborough, a £46 million project which is currently under construction.
Mr Jones’ Twitter account is for “retweets only”.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Skipton and Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

Mr Smith tweeted on July 5 that he visited Broughton Hall.
On the same day, he voted in line with the government on the Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill.
Mr Smith also voted for mandatory covid vaccines for care home staff.
On July 16, he wished “good luck” to the Great Yorkshire Show on its final day.
Mr Smith did not speak in the House of Commons in July.
The MP posted four times on his website in July.
On July 23, Mr Smith tweeted to promote walk-in vaccine centres in North Yorkshire.
On July 27, he posted on his website that he had visited Devonshire Arms Hotel and Spa at Bolton Abbey Estate. He said it was “great to see that they are busier than ever”.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:

A regular Twitter user, Mr Adams tweeted about England reaching the final of the Euros and posted a video of him at the Denmark game on July 7.
He tweeted again on July 11 to say he was “absolutely gutted” that England lost in the final to Italy.
On July 13, the Minister for Asia met with the Indonesia ambassador to the UK.
On July 15, he met the South Korean ambassador.
Mr Adams voted in line with the government on the Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill and mandatory covid vaccines for care home staff.
On July 20, Mr Adams visited a United Nations memorial to those who fought in the Korean War.
Mr Adams tweeted on July 26 that a dog had visited his office.
Mr Adams updated his website once in July.
He spoke in the House of Commons on three occasions in July.

Union criticises Harrogate district MPs for backing compulsory vaccines

The trade union Unison has criticised MPs in the Harrogate district for voting in favour of compulsory vaccinations for care home staff.

MPs voted through plans to make it mandatory for staff who work in a Care Quality Commission-registered care home to have two jabs of a covid vaccine unless they have a medical exemption.

It will become law from October after the House of Commons last night approved the regulation by 319 votes to 246.

The district’s three Conservative MPs, Andrew Jones, Julian Smith and Nigel Adams all voted in favour of the move.

But the North Yorkshire branch of Unison tweeted:

“Concerning that Conservative MPs in our area voted to allow the state to mandate vaccination.

“We encourage all our members to get vaccinated, but making it law is not the way a liberal democracy should operate.”

Concerning that Conservative MPs in our area voted to allow the state to mandate #vaccination. We encouragr all our members to #GetVaccinated but making it the law is not the way a liberal democracy should operate. @nadams @AJonesMP @kevinhollinrake @RishiSunak @JulianSmithUK https://t.co/usBHo7oKvj

— North Yorkshire UNISON (@NYUnison) July 13, 2021

Unison was responding to a tweet by Rachael Maskell, the Labour MP for York Central, saying care staff “need respect” and she objected to mandatory vaccines.

She said:

“This authoritarian state is encroaching on human rights of others. What next?”

Some rebel Tory MPs said the government should have published an impact assessment before the vote, which ministers said was “being worked on”.

William Wragg, Conservative MP, said he was “in despair” and that the government was “treating this House with contempt”.

Care minister Helen Whately said managers could discuss the vaccine with staff or look at alternative roles for those who did not want to be vaccinated.

The Stray Ferret approached all three of the Harrogate district MPs for comment, but received no response.

MPs watch: Fish and chips in Batley and Spen

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In June, a planned covid ‘freedom day’ was delayed and the district was gripped by Euro 2020 fever.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Conservative Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

The Harrogate & Knaresborough MP was spotted campaigning for the Conservatives ahead of the Batley & Spen by-election on five different occasions. He was photographed eating fish and chips with Tory candidate Ryan Stevenson.
On June 16 he voted to extend coronavirus restrictions until July 19. There were 23 Tory rebels.
On the same day in the House of Commons, he asked the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Steve Barclay, about the continuation of business support grants with the delay in easing restrictions.
The MP told the BBC’s Local Democracy Service that he would be “very sad” to lose around 1,500 voters in a proposed boundary shake-up.
On June 17 he chaired a Department for International Trade meeting that offered advice to Yorkshire businesses on trading internationally.
Mr Jones was quoted on his community “news” website discussing the improving retail occupancy rates in the Harrogate district. He said: “These have been difficult times and we are still not through them. Retail and hospitality are going to face ongoing challenges but these figures are positive and an improving position on much of the last few years”.
Mr Jones did not update his website in June.
The MP attended Harrogate Grammar School with Conservative councillors to meet pupils and celebrate Walk to School Day.

Julian Smith, Conservative MP for Ripon and Skipton.

Mr Smith posted on Twitter that he had also been campaigning in Batley & Spen for the Conservatives. “Great feedback on the doorstep”, he tweeted.
He tweeted that he has given talks at 15 schools in his constituency over the past few months. Schools included Beckwithshaw and Kirkby Malzard primary schools.
The MP posted on Facebook that it was “great to be back” in Pateley Bridge, as he was photographed inspecting a David Bowie film poster at Tordoff Gallery.
He also visited Stump Cross Caverns, which raised over £70,000 in a successful crowdfunding campaign that gave pledgers the chance to win a camper van.
The Boundary Commission proposed changes to Mr Smiths’ constituency that would see him lose Bishop Monkton and Burton Leonard.
During a Commons debate about the Northern Ireland protocol, the former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland called for “compromise on both sides” following months of unrest in Belfast. Mr Smith has spoken in Parliament on six occasions this year, with five of them being about Northern Ireland.

Nigel Adams, Conservative MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:

The Minister for Asia condemned the closure of Hong Kong pro-democracy news outlet Apple Daily. He tweeted that it was “another chilling step towards silencing opposition voices.”
The MP sarcastically praised former speaker John Bercow after he defected to the Labour Party from the Conservatives. He tweeted: “I’m sure he will be a great asset to them given his popularity with the great British public.”
In the Commons, Mr Adams said the UK government “does not shy from taking action” against China over human rights abuses.
The Boundary Commission proposed changes to Mr Adams’ constituency that would see him lose all areas within the Harrogate district.

Harrogate and Knaresborough could be shrunk, under parliamentary boundary shake-up

The Harrogate and Knaresborough parliamentary constituency could be reduced in size, under proposals outlined today by the Boundary Commission for England.

Under the plans, Harrogate and Knaresborough’s electorate would be shrunk and areas, including Boroughbridge, would fall under a new constituency.

Harrogate and Knaresborough’s constituency would see its electorate fall from 74,319 to 72,850. The Conservative Andrew Jones currently holds the seat.

The commission has carried out a review of parliamentary seat boundaries and opened a public consultation.

Following further consultation next year, it will publish a final report on boundary changes in 2023.

Under the current proposals, the number of constituencies in Yorkshire and Humber would remain at 54.

But Conservative Nigel Adams’ seat of Selby and Ainsty, which includes the south of Harrogate, would be scrapped.

How the current constituency boundaries look in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

The current constituency boundaries in and around the Harrogate district.

Instead, Selby would have its own seat and the north of the district would fall under a new constituency called Wetherby and Easingwold, which would take in areas including Wetherby, Boroughbridge and Green Hammerton.

A map of the new constituency and reduced Harrogate and Knaresborough seat under the Boundary Commission plans. Picture: Boundary Commission.

Kirby Hill and Bishop Monkton would become part of the new Wetherby and Easingwold seat.

The Skipton and Ripon constituency, which is currently represented by Conservative Julian Smith, would include Ripley, which is currently part of Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Tim Bowden, secretary to the Boundary Commission for England, said:

“Today’s proposals mark the first time people get to see what the new map of parliamentary constituencies might look like. But they are just the commission’s initial thoughts.

“Help us draw the line to make the number of electors in each parliamentary constituency more equal.

“Each constituency we recommend is required by law to contain between 69,724 and 77,062 electors, meaning there will be significant change to current boundaries.

“We want to hear the views of the public to ensure that we get the new boundaries for parliamentary constituencies right.”

The review will increase the number of constituencies in England from 533 to 543.

Just under 10% of existing seats remain unchanged as part of the proposals.

Members of the public can have their say on the proposals as part of an eight-week public consultation on the Boundary Commission for England website.

The consultation will close on August 2.

MPs watch: Timid flowers, Eurovision and Knaresborough banks

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In May, lockdown restrictions eased again and life in the district slowly began to return back to normal.

We asked Harrogate & Knaresborough’s Andrew Jones, Skipton and Ripon’s Julian Smith, and Selby and Ainsty’s Nigel Adams if they would like to highlight anything in particular that they have been doing this month, but we did not receive a response from any of them.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Conservative Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

In the House of Commons, Mr Jones revealed that he was enlisted by the Conservative Party to knock on doors in Hartlepool for the May 6 by-election. The seat was won by the party for the first time in its history.
He spoke about the sub-postmaster scandal in the House of Commons on May 19, saying: “Trust is central to a thriving Post Office and trust is necessary for people to take on the role of sub-postmaster or sub-postmistress with any certainty or security”.
Following the latest unemployment figures that revealed 2,530 people in Harrogate & Knaresborough were claiming unemployment-related benefits, the MP wrote on his website encouraging local employers to take part in the government’s Kickstart scheme.
On May 25 in the House of Commons, he raised the issue of community choirs being unable to rehearse indoors following the latest relaxation of restrictions. It prompted The Times’ sketch writer Quentin Letts to describe the MP in the newspaper as a “timid flower”.
Writing on his local “news” website, Community News, Mr Jones looked forward to better times ahead: “Our country is turning its sights to a post-COVID future, a more digital and greener future. That is good news for us all”.
On May 26 he voted down several clauses put forward by opposition parties for the Environment Bill. These included stopping peat burning in upland areas and making it a duty to create a tree strategy in England.
On May 27 in Parliament, he raised the fact that Knaresborough no longer has a bank.

Julian Smith, Conservative MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

In early May, Mr Smith attended a meeting with North Yorkshire County Council about the local Transforming Cities Fund proposals in Harrogate, Skipton and Selby.
With museums reopening in May, he visited the gardens at the Ripon Workhouse Museum which is part of Ripon Museums.
On May 19, he gave an online talk to children at Beckwithshaw Primary School. Writing on his website, he said the pupils were interested in local issues and asked him questions on covid and climate change.
Last week, Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon, described the claims by the Prime Minister’s former chief advisor Dominic Cummings over the government’s handling of the covid pandemic as “for the birds”.
Five of Mr Smith’s 11 tweets were related to Northern Ireland politics. He tweeted about the Ballymurphy inquest that exonerated those shot dead by British Army forces in 1971: “All thoughts & prayers with the families of those killed at Ballymurphy.”

Nigel Adams, Conservative MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:

On Twitter, he posted his own Eurovision Song Contest scorecard. He gave the UK entry, James Newman, a generous 24 points out of 40. In the actual competition, the song received no points and came last.
A story published in The Times on May 9 revealed that Mr Adams received financial donations and luxury trips abroad from controversial Indian businessman Sanjeev Gupta. Mr Gupta has links to the biomass industry and, Drax Power Station, which burns the wood pellets to create energy, is in his constituency.
The Minister for Asia tweeted that the foreign office will spend more money on the BBC World Service to help tackle fake news around the world.
In ministerial written answers, he wrote about India’s covid outbreak that ripped through the country in May: “We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner in the fight against Covid-19, and send our solidarity and condolences to the Indian people at this difficult time.”
He tweeted 17 times in May.

Dominic Cummings’ claims ‘for the birds’, says Ripon MP

Ripon and Skipton MP Julian Smith has said the explosive claims by Dominic Cummings about government mistakes during covid should not be taken too seriously.

Speaking at a North Yorkshire County Council meeting today, Mr Smith said any notions that the former adviser to Boris Johnson was acting as an “objective observer” in his evidence to the government’s health and science committees yesterday was “for the birds”.

Mr Smith said:

“I did not get on particularly well with Mr Cummings in government – in my view, he is not an objective observer

“Having said that, obviously he makes an important point but I agree that this should be in the context of a whole range of other witnesses who have views.

“But the idea that he is objective about this is obviously for the birds.”

During a marathon seven-hour evidence session yesterday, Mr Cummings made a series of allegations about the government’s response to the pandemic and painted a picture of chaos and disarray within Number 10.

He said thousands of people died needlessly as a result of government mistakes and that the Prime Minister was “unfit for the job”, claiming he had ignored scientific advice and wrongly delayed lockdowns.

He also claimed Matt Hancock should have been fired for lying – something denied by the health secretary.

Mr Cummings said:

“The truth is that senior ministers, senior officials, senior advisers like me fell disastrously short of the standards that the public has a right to expect of its government in a crisis like this.

“I would like to say to all the families of those who died unnecessarily how sorry I am for the mistakes that were made and for my own mistakes at that.”

Mr Smith’s reaction to the revelations followed comments from West Skipton Independent county councillor Andy Salloway, who told today’s North Yorkshire County Council Skipton and Ripon area constituency committee that he believed any evidence about the government’s handling of the virus outbreak should only be heard once it is over.

Cllr Salloway said Mr Cumming’s allegations yesterday were a “complete distraction” from the pressures of the pandemic still at hand.

He said:

“We are still in a pandemic and surely the time to have a review of things is after the pandemic is done, not during it. It is a bit of an insult to all the people who have worked extremely hard to get us through this.”

Boris Johnson previously announced a full public inquiry into the government’s handling of the pandemic is to be launched in spring 2022 when more officials will be called as witnesses to give evidence.

The inquiry will aim to answer key questions such as why did the pandemic happen, who is to blame and what can be done to prevent it happening again.

The exact aims and remit will be announced closer to the start of the inquiry next year.

Julian Smith MP among the highest earners in Parliament

Skipton and Ripon conservative MP Julian Smith earns more than any MP in Yorkshire from outside roles, research by the Stray Ferret has discovered.

He is also one of the highest earning of the 650 MPs, with only six others earning more than him from second and third jobs in the 12 months to April.

As previously reported in the Stray Ferret, Mr Smith is currently making the equivalent of £144,000 per year from three advisory roles outside of Parliament. This is in addition to his £81,932 annual salary as an MP.

Mr Smith was secretary of state for Northern Ireland from July 2019 to February 2020. Two of Mr Smith’s advisory roles have links with Northern Ireland.

In August 2020 he began advising Ryse Hydrogen, whose chief executive Jo Bamford also owns Wrightbus, a Northern Ireland bus manufacturer. The contract is £60,000 for 20 hours of work.

From last month he was contracted to work for 30 to 40 hours over 12 months for MJM Marine, a cruise ship refurbishment company based in County Down, Northern Ireland. This contract is also for £60,000.

In January this year he began another role, advising Cork-based sustainable energy and aquaculture company Simply Blue Management. He will be paid £24,000 over a year for up to two hours of work per month.

Former prime minister Theresa May is paid the most money for outside activities: almost £650,000 for a number of speaking engagements. Other high earners include former chancellor Sajid Javid, who earns more than £300,000 a year for giving economic advice to businesses.

Among the 54 MPs in Yorkshire, Julian Smith was the highest earner.

Phillip Davies, MP for Shipley, received more than £49,000 last year from gambling company Entain (formerly GVC Holdings), which owns brands such as Coral and Ladbrokes. This was in return for 124 hours of work, an hourly rate of more than £400 an hour. Mr Davies has previously been forced to apologise for failing to declare hospitality received from bookmakers.

David Davis, MP for Haltemprice and Howden, was the highest earner per hour in Yorkshire. He was paid £10,000 for three hours and 12 minutes consulting work by JCB, the heavy equipment manufacturer. The company’s owners, the Bamford family, are major donors to the Conservative party, having donated more than £10 million since 2010.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones and Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams did not declare any paid work outside of Parliament in the past year.

Julian Smith MP criticised for taking on third lucrative advisory role

Skipton and Ripon Conservative MP Julian Smith has been criticised for taking on a third lucrative advisory role in a year.

His latest position is advising MJM Marine, a County Down-based cruise ship refurbishment company.

He will be paid £60,000 for 30 to 40 hours of work over the next year.

In total, his three advisory positions, all with businesses related to Northern Ireland, will earn him up to £144,000 for 84 hours work.

This is almost double his salary as an MP which is £81,932.

Former Northern Ireland secretary

Mr Smith was dismissed as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in February last year but received praise across the political spectrum for his role in bringing a power-sharing agreement back to the country.

Since he left government, the majority of his tweets have related to Northern Ireland politics.

Mr Smith has previously been warned by a government advisory committee about his business roles and the potential for a perceived conflict of interest with his former role as a Northern Ireland minister.

‘His constituents deserve better’

News of Mr Smith’s latest appointment comes as former prime minister David Cameron is at the centre of lobbying concerns.

Brian McDaid, who stood for the Labour Party against Mr Smith in Skipton and Ripon in 2019, accused the MP of focusing more on his business interests in Northern Ireland than on his constituents.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“What experience and knowledge is required to carry out these advisory roles?

“During these times of austerity and the impact of the pandemic on us all, Mr Smith must be struggling on his MP’s salary to have to seek additional work with very lucrative remuneration.

“His constituents deserve so much better, especially during these very difficult and uncertain times.”

David Edwards, chair of the Skipton and Ripon Liberal Democrats, told the Stray Ferret:

“The fact that Mr Smith appears to be more willing to put his time and effort into consulting for businesses in Northern Ireland rather than represent and address the concerns of his constituents in Skipton and Ripon unfortunately comes as no surprise.

“This also adds to the current wider concerns around the relationships between ministers and private companies and we support a comprehensive review and reform into the rules around this.”

Mr Smith’s jobs

Ryse Hydrogen: £60,000 for 12 months. He is expected to work 20 hours.

In August 2020, Mr Smith took an advisory role with Ryse Hydrogen. Its chief executive Jo Bamford also owns Wrightbus, a Northern Ireland bus production company that has a relationship with the Northern Ireland Office in government.

Simply Blue Management: £2,000 a month for one or two hours a month over 12 months.

MJM Marine: £60,000 for 12 months. He is expected to work 30 to 40 hours.

From last month, Mr Smith began advising MJM Marine on ‘business development’. The company calls itself a ‘leading international specialist in cruise ship refurbishment’. It’s based in County Down, Northern Ireland.

The Stray Ferret contacted both Julian Smith and MJM Marine for a response but we did not receive one at the time of publication.

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‘Very lucrative remuneration’

Mr Smith’s three jobs

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Former Northern Ireland secretary

‘His constituents deserve better’

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Mr Smith’s jobs