George Osborne met by protesters on first day as editor of Evening Standard

George Osborne was greeted by protesters as he arrived for his first day as editor of the London Evening Standard this morning.

The former Chancellor promised he will lead an “informative and entertaining” paper as he arrived — but declined to say whether he would be giving up other lucrative business roles.

Earlier in the year, the former chancellor was controversially appointed to the coveted media position — despite having no professional experience in journalism.

Protesting black-cab drivers greeted Mr Osborne’s arrival, angered over newspaper allegations that he lobbied in favour of Uber when then London mayor Boris Johnson was thinking of cracking down on the service.

At first, Mr Osborne said he would not be standing down as MP for Tatton, Cheshire, but later said he would leave Westminster “for now” to take charge of “a great newspaper”, after Theresa May called a snap election.

However, he still holds other roles, including a £650,000-a-year position as an adviser to US investment giant Blackrock.

Since he was removed from his role as chancellor by the Prime Minister last year, Mr Osborne has declared almost £1 million in speaking fees.

He also receives £120,000 as a fellow at the McCain Institute in Washington DC. His salary at the Evening Standard has not been disclosed.

As he walked into the London title’s offices with newspapers tucked under his arm, Mr Osborne said: “It’s very exciting to be starting in the new job.

“It’s a really important time in our country when people are going to want the straight facts, the informed analysis so they can make the really big decisions about this country’s future.

“The Evening Standard is going to provide that and it is going to entertain along the way.

“Now I’ve got to get in there — we’ve got a paper to get off stone so I better get started.”

Just before Mr Osborne entered his new workplace at around 7am, he said on Twitter: “Excited about first day in new job @EveningStandard. Without fear or favour we’ll provide the facts & analysis – and entertain along the way.”

His use of “without fear or favour” prompted a quip from Financial Times editor Lionel Barber, who replied: “Excuse me, Mr Editor: you just nicked @FT motto, without fear or favour … but good luck anyway.”

A picture of him on a mock Evening Standard front page read: “George Osborne: Lowering London’s Standards.”

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.