After years of political turmoil, it’s boom time for at least one British industry: Demand for political bodyguards is through the roof.

Annabelle Dickson, Dan Bloom www.politico.eu (Extract)

For the first time in modern history, the U.K. now has seven living former prime ministers, all of whom continue to receive extensive — and expensive — security protection.

With the ruling Conservatives on their fourth leader in as many years, and with the three most recently-departed — Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss — visibly cashing in on the lucrative international speaking circuit for ex-prime ministers, some are raising questions about the mounting cost to U.K. taxpayers.

Because every time an ex-prime minister travels abroad — even to earn themselves a six-figure sum for speaking at an obscure business conference — U.K. taxpayers are likely picking up the security tab.

“It’s an industry, there is no other word for it,” Dai Davies, a former head of royal protection at the Met Police, said.

The number of living ex-prime ministers is only likely to grow in the years ahead.

If the opinion polls are correct, Rishi Sunak will likely be out of office following next year’s general election. And the youthful nature of the current cohort — Truss is 47, and Sunak just 43, while Johnson and David Cameron are both still under 60 — means taxpayers could be on the hook for decades to come.

But the collective security bill for protecting high-profile politicians and royals, shouldered by the Home Office, remains shrouded in secrecy……..