FORMER Tory leader William Hague has raked in more than £1million in just nine months from making speeches to big business.

The peer, who charges more than £25,000 per appearance, has clocked up 44 speaking engagements since the end of last year.

4 Rich voice . . . William Hague's cashed in since leaving the Cabinet Credit: Getty Images

He has toured the world — appearing at events in New York, Hong Kong and Toronto in recent months.

The ex-Foreign Secretary has spoken at events held by major firms including Mastercard, JP Morgan and Royal Bank of Canada.

The sums involved dwarf his salary as a Cabinet minister that totalled £134,000, including his MP’s salary.

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4 Super speech . . . Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton backs William Hague Credit: Reuters

Lord Hague, 55, left the Commons before the last election and was made a peer in October last year.

He has been described as the “David Beckham of toasting” by US Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

His speeches are organised by top after-dinner agency Jeremy Lee Associates, who rate him AA.

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Business tycoon Lord Sugar, 69, also commands the £25,000-plus fee.

4 You're hired . . . Lord Alan Sugar also earns top dollar for his speeches Credit: PA:Press Association

And Olympics supremo Lord Coe, 60, earns more than £25,000 per speech, according to the speaker bureau JLA.

The fees contrast with those TV chef Ainsley Harriott, 59, and former England cricket captain Andrew Strauss, 39, who receive between £5,000 and £10,000 per engagement.