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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Jessica Elgot, Henry Dyer and David Pegg

Revealed: Boris Johnson approached Elon Musk on behalf of London Evening Standard owner Lebedev

Evgeny Lebedev, Boris Johnson and Elon Musk
It is unclear whether Elon Musk responded to the business offer sent from Evgeny Lebedev via Boris Johnson’s office. Composite: Guardian

Boris Johnson contacted Elon Musk on behalf of the Evening Standard owner, Evgeny Lebedev, as part of an attempt to get the US tech billionaire to support the ailing newspaper, leaked files suggest.

Johnson’s private office, which is taxpayer-subsidised, emailed an executive close to Musk in June 2024, forwarding a business proposal from Lord Lebedev.

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