Exclusive: Gordon Brown launches his public speaking career

While Tony Blair has been pledging a slice of his massive post-PM earnings to The Royal Legion, a tale reaches me – from an impeccable source – about what Gordon Brown is up to. He once indicated he’d devote his post-PM life to modest good works, but it appears he is also trying to build up a large nest egg of his own: in the world of public speaking, with six-figure fees.

He’s asked a London speaking agency to tout for speaking engagements for him in the Middle East and Asia. And the price? He’s been offered at $100,000 a pop and is promising to speak on areas covered by his new book, The Financial Crisis, which is due out soon. That should have ’em roaring in the aisles.

A hundred grand – and in dollars, not pounds – is a lot less, of course, than the figures commanded by Blair, Clinton or, in her day, Thatcher. But our ex-Dear Leader doesn’t have quite their international cache. So $100,000 for an hour’s work would be not a bad fee for a son of the manse with his self-styled moral compass and parsimonious bent.

There are more demands. Whoever wants him – and I’m told there actually is some interest in the Gulf – would also have to stump up for five-star hotel accommodation, a first-class seat and three business-class ones. Just one first class – won’t Mrs Brown won’t be travelling with him?  Oh yes, replied Our Man in the Desert. Sarah is been offered as an optional extra to present a prize at award ceremonies where he speaks for an extra $20,000. Just one award per ceremony, mind you – which is hardly an arduous workload, but doesn’t quite explain why she doesn’t get to fly first class with him.